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423 

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The  Faithless  Favorite. 

A  Mixed  Tragedy. 


DEDICATED 

To  the  memory  of  things  beautiful:— 
The  ghosts  of  dead  dreams  and  failures — 

Things  that  have  never  come, 
And  things  that  have  grown  in  vain. 


THE   FAITHLESS  FAVORITE 

A  Mixed  Tragedy 


BY 

EDWIN    SAUTER 


To  which  is  appended  a  collection 

of    detached    trifles 

entitled 

SCHEDIASM 


NUMBERED  FIRST  EDITION 


SAINT  LOUIS 

Published  by  the  Author 

AT    THE    SIGN   OF   THE    LEECH 

1331  N.  Seventh  Street 

1905 


Copyright,  1905,  by 
EDWIN  SAUTER. 


PS 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

The  Faithless  Favorite   3 

Schediasm   .  ...223 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


In  the  following  drama  the  author  adheres 
merely  to  the  fundamental  fact  of  the  old  chron 
iclers'  stories  of  Athelwold  and  Elfrida,  allow 
ing  caprice  and  fancy  to  build  up  the  rest. 

The  names  of  historical  personages  are 
taken  from  Hume's  England. 

The  author  is  indebted  to  his  indulgent 
friend  —  the  play's  first  reader — Dr.  L.  G. 
McKellops,  for  assistance  in  preparing  the  vol 
ume  for  the  press. 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 


DRAMATIS  PBRSONAE. 

EDGAR,  King  of  England. 
ATHELSTAN,  a  powerful  nolle. 

KENRIC          1 

'        (.  thanes, — rival  suitors  to  Elfrida. 

DUNSTAN,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

ALFRED,  friend  to  Athelwold. 

OLGAR,  Earl  of  Devonshire, — father  of  Elfrida. 

OFFA,  a  wicked  monk. 

HAKO,  a  robber, — brother  to  Rowena. 

INA,  steward  to  Olgar. 

INULF,  a  minstrel. 

ATHELWOLD,  son  -to  Athelstan  and  favorite  of  the 
King. 

ELFRIDA,  a  Saxon  beauty,  afterwards  Queen. 

COUNTESS  OF  DEVONSHIRE. 

ROWENA,  clandestinely  married  to  Athelwold. 

ELFWINE,  maid  to  Elfrida. 

OSBURGA,  a  reputed  witch,  living  in  a  cave. 

RODA,  her  daughter. 

Prologue,  kings,  thanes,  outlaws,  soldiers,  officers, 
monks,  players,  pages,  an  old  Saxon,  three  Ro 
manies,  keepers,  servants,  villagers,  peasants, 
priest,  old  sentry,  and  attendants. 


SCENE,— Saxon  England. 
3 


ACT   I. 


Prologue.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

PROLOGUE. 

Enter  PROLOGUE  in  a  fooTs  costume,  with 

cap  and  bells. 
PROL. 

Hear  ME,  good  people.  What  is  dark  is  not  light, 
— what  is  plain,  not  ambiguous.  I  am  an  EX 
PLAINER, — the  world's  interpreter  of  parables 
and  dark  sayings.  Now  mark: — 

A  certain  king,  well  loved  by  monkish  chroni 
clers,  with  a  sweet-tooth  for  a  "fat  leg  of  ewe- 
mutton,"  hearing  on  all  sides  great  praises  of 
a  piece  of  rare  excellence  in  Devonshire,  be 
comes  infected  with  a  deep  and  mighty  passion 
and  appetite  for  it;  and,  occasion  soon  after 
offering,  dispatches  his  favorite  thither  to 
make  purchase  of  the  ewe,  provided  reports 
lied  not  respecting  its  comeliness  and  succu 
lence. 

The  favorite,  viewing  the  piece,  lusteth  mightily 
like  his  master;  and  encouraged  by  an  evil 
shepherd  that  accompanied  him — who,  oppor 
tunely  or  inopportunely,  gave  occasion  for  the 
visit — he  makes  the  purchase,  indeed,  but  alas! 
in  his  own  name,  not  his  master's. 

This  injurious  deed,  an  act  of  treachery  to  the 
king,  and  furthermore,  as  will  be  shortly  seen, 
in  violation  of  a  solemn  league  and  covenant 
he,  the  favorite,  had  recently  entered  into  clan 
destinely  to  eat  no  mutton  save  in  his  own 
cote,  directly  led  to  many  calamities  and  disas- 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Prologue. 

trous  consequences,  and  eventually  to  his  own 
death  at  the  king's  Instigation. 

But,  what  ho! — the  disastrous  consequences  and 
cognate  circumstances  are  vividly  set  forth 
and  portrayed  in  the  free-lance,  connection- 
scorning  and  farraginous  manner  of  the  Eliz- 
abethian  school  in  the  play  next-ensuing: — a 
drama  consisting  of  five  acts  and  thirty  odd 
scenes,  whereof  the  first,  or  impetus  to  the 
motif,  sheweth  the  violent  admiration,  pas 
sion  and  deadly  rivalry  of  the  Saxon  youth  re 
specting  the  Devonshire  mutton;  and  the  thir 
ty-fifth  and  last  (amen! ),  the  deplorable  end  of 
the  favorite  and  others  concerned  at  a  merry 
feast  where  the  King  unexpectedly  appears  and 
claims  the  piece  in  contention. 

Alas! 

Now,  Mr.  Curtain-puller.  [Exit  PROLOGUE. 


ACT  I. 

ACT  I,  SCENE  I.— A  forest  adjoining  ATHEL- 
STAN'S  castle. — Horns  and  hunting  music,  hal 
looing  and  shouting,  'break  upon  the  ear — first  as 
from  a  little  distance,  "but  rapidly  growing  louder 
and  coming  nearer.  Soon  a  confused  crowd  of 
Saxon  nobles  in  hunting  costume,  armed  with 
knives  and  spears,  dash  across  the  scene.  Pres 
ently  enter  ATHELSTAN,  limping. 

ATH. 

Halloo,  halloo,  halloo! — 

Swift  as  the  hawk  they  rush  the  frighted  quarry, 

But  'tis  a  scurvy  trick  of  graceless  youth 

To  leave  eld  i'  the  lurch  and  in  distress,  (seats 
himself) 

Ay,  ay; — 

Halloo,  'loo,  "loo  and  welcome, 

Ye  merry,  lusty,  lithe  and  shin-whole  thanes! — 

Wise  age  respects  its  hamstrings. 

As  for  me,  farewell  boar-sticking!  (throws  away 
his  spear) 

Joints  wrenched,  crowns  cracked,  flesh  bramble- 
torn — 

Those  pleasures  of  the  chase — and  sundry  oth 
ers — 

Have  thrilled  these  stagnant  veins  some  three 
score  years, — 

No  more  of  them! 

Man  smiles  away  a  thousand  aches  at  play, 

But  dub  it  work — one  bruise  will  quell  his  spirit. 

Zounds!     I  have  seen  the  day — who  comes? 

By  Thor!  (rising)  I  hear  the  ring  of  steel. 

9 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  I, 

Enter  REDWALD  and  KENRIC,  fighting. 
RED. 

Thy  blood! — thy  heart's  blood! 
KEN. 
Fight,  fight,  tongue-trumpet! 

[Beats  down  REDWALD'S  defense  and  runs 

him  through  the  arm — REDWALD  falls. 
ATH. 

Hold! 
KEN.  (raising  his  spear) 

Thou  diest! 
ATH.  (interposing) 

Hold,  Kenric, — hold,  I  charge  thee! 
Slay  him  not. 
KEN.   (struggling) 
Away!   Away! 
Unhand    me,    thou   old    thane! — His    life — or — 

(menacing  ATH.)  thine! 
ATH.  (persisting) 
Fierce  youth,  forbear! 

[KENRIC  flings  ATH.  aside  and  rushes  on 
REDWALD — Enter  KING  EDGAR  and  party, 
— they  seize  KENRIC  and  disarm  him. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Ha,    nobles — speak! — what    bodes    this    savage 

fray? 
Bind  up  that  bleeding  arm!    (REDWALD'S  arm 

is  bandaged) 

Thou  too,  hoary  Athelstan? 
ATH.  (peevishly) 

Nay,  blame  me  not,  O  King! 

Sooth,  I  was  wounded  in  the  chase  and  sought 

10 


Scene  I.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

A  friendly  brook  to  lave  my  maimed  limbs, — 
Here  scarce  arrived,  methougbt  to  rest  awhile, 
When  suddenly  there  burst  upon  the  scene 
Yon  furious  pair,  (pointing)  engaged  in  mortal 

combat; — 

The  startled  copse  loud-ringing  with  the  clash 
Of  desperate  lunge  and  deadly  counterstroke: — 
And  when  to  curb  their  violence  I  essayed 
Athelstan  was  like  a  feather  i'  the  whirlpool:  — 
This  told,  thou  sharest  all  my  knowledge. 
KING  EDGAR,  (sinks  on  a  fallen  oak  and  sighs) 
Thanes,  thanes! 

Life's  a  short,  troubled  voyage  on  an  ocean — 
That  vast,   ill-charted    waste  whose  shores   are 

Death; 

And  wildly  tossed, — oft  overwhelmed 
And  midway  wrecked, — 
On,  on!  relentless  fate  the  rocking  bark 
Fast  drives, — while  heedless  wretches,  drunk  or 

sleeping, 

Or  like  the  child  at  play, 
Infatuate  with  some  caprice  of  the  moment, 
Reck  not  of  perils  nor  th'  inevitable  end; 
But  with   their   little   souls   absorbed   in   little 

things 

Unto  the  eleventh  hour, 
Bowed   o'er   some   GAME   they    dream, — till,   all 

aghast, 

Dire  thunders  on  their  ears  the  cry  of  POET! 
And  then  pell-mell  they  bundle  off  despairing, 
Ere  well  the  voyage  seems  to  them  begun. 
Ah  me! 
How  soon  it  ends — the  longest  life  and  best!  — 

11 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

With  all  its  petty  pangs,  disports  and  projects; 
How  soon  in  blank  oblivion  swallowed  up, 
Despite  carved  records,  monuments  and  memo 
rials! 

Our  port's  illimitable  oblivion, — 
Ay,  Time's  long  surges  break  upon  a  shore 
Athwart  whose  gloom  no  beacon  beams  or  cheers : 
Oh,  madness  then,  to  fill  the  fleeting  hour 
With  idle  brawls! — My  malison  on  strife. 

KEN.  (sullenly) 
Thou  ruler  of  the  isle  of  Albion, 
Peace-loving  kings  won  not  the  sea-girt  realm, 
And  strife,  I  rede  thee,  is  the  fining-pot 
'Twixt  man  and  man,  nation  and  nation, 
Distinguishing  true  metal  from  base  dross. 

ATH.  (sotto) 

Character,  boy, — that's  the  gold  in  the  coin: 
An  inch  of  character's  worth  a  yard  of  wit. 

KING  EDGAR,  (harshly  to  KENRIC) 
What,  thou  churl! 

A  gruff  voice  sings  i'  the  pitch  of  truth, 
But  there  be  forks  to  bring  it  in  tune, 
Look  you,  Lord  Fining-pot! 

ATH.  (aside  to  KEN.) 
Now  down,  rash  fool! 

The  lion  shows  his  fangs,  but  prompt  submission 
Soon  pacifies  him. 

KEN.  (kneeling) 
Pardon,  liege  lord! 
Intemperate  anger  wags  a  privileged  tongue. 

KING  EDGAR  (motioning  him  up) 
Yea, — if  the  cause  be  righteous:  — 
Is  thine  so? 

12 


Scene  7.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

RED.  (advancing  excitedly) 

No,  no! — hear  me — believe  him  not,  just  King! 
KEN.  (mockingly) 

Hear  him? — thou'lt  hear  the  madman  rave,  just 

King! 
KING  EDGAR  (sternly) 

Peace,  Kenric. 
RED. 

Hear  me  and  render  justice,  righteous  Edgar! 

'Twas  in  these  woods  I  lost  a  jeweled  ring, 

More  dear,  O  King,  than  my  heart's  blood  to  me : 

Who  found  it?— Kenric — 

He,  he,  he!  (pointing) 

Deny  it  not! — that  guilty  flush  betrays  thee. 

Prince,  when  I  tared  him  with  the  gem's  posses 
sion, 

Demanding  its  return, 

He,  my  rejected,  disappointed  rival, 

Knowing  full  well  whose  bless'd  hand  gave  it  me, 

And  the  tradition  that  who  gained  this  prize 

Should  wed  the  maid, — most  harshly  scorned  me, 

Denying  restitution  just  and  equitable. 

Then  to  the  arbitrament  of  arms,  though  loth, 

I  swift  appealed  to  win  again  mine  own — 

The  precious  gift  of  beautiful  Elfrida. 
SEVERAL  YOUNG  NOBLES  IN  CHORUS. 

Elfrida!     Elfrida! 
RED.  (triumphantly) 

Ay!  mark  me,  the  Lady  Elfrida, 

Heiress  of  Devonshire. 
KEN. 

Thou  simple  fellow! — I  have  not  thy  bauble. 

13 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

RED. 

An  oath,  an  oath!    Avouch  it  with  an  oath! 
KING  EDGAR  (presenting  Ms  sword) 

Swear  on  this  hilt  thy  lips  speak  sooth,  Earl 

Kenric. 
KEN.  (kissing  it) 

I  swear  it. 
KING  EDGAR  (to  RED.) 

What  ask'st  thou  more? 

[As  RED.  is  about  to  reply  advance  ATH.  has 
tily. 
ATH. 

Odso,  odso! 

A  woman  'tis  ye  quarrel  o'er? — Oh,  egregious! 

Lord,  here's  the  acme  of  mischievous  vanity! 

The  plague  its  thousands — yea — but  in  all  ages — 

And  at  all  ages — Woman  slays  her  ten  thous 
ands: — 

Hero,  king,  poet,  plough-boy,  sage  and  scholar — 

None  escape  her,  messieurs, — none,  none,  none! 

And  what  is  woman? — Bah! 

A  golden-winged  butterfly,  indeed, 

Flutt'ring  in  the  air  before  the  lover's  eyes, 

Dazzled  with  longing, 

But  in  the  hands  of  disillusioned  husbands 

An  ugly  and  oft  venomous  little  grub: — 

And  let  them  speak  who  know  the  change  when 

caught 
CHORUS  OF  YOUNG  NOBLES. 

Fy,  fy! — hear  him! 
CHORUS  OF  OLD  ONES. 

Ha,  ha,  ha! 

14 


Scene  I.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ATH. 

By  your  leave!  (sings) 
Once  the  maid  weds  the  man  let  him  sing  if  he 

can, 

When  a  year  they've  sped  together, 
That  a  railing  wife's  not  the  bane  of  life — 
And  the  devil  send  him  foul  weather. 

KING  EDGAR. 
Tut,  tut,  biting  Athelstan! 
Nature's  promptings  be  wise  counselors, 
And   scathless   fall  gibes   and   jinglts   on   deaf 

ears: — 
Are  we  not  all  lovers  in  England? 

YOUNG  NOBLES. 
All,  all; — huzza! 

ATH. 

Nay,  'tis  indeed  our  thriving  industry, — 
Strange  lands  know  that.    But  God  help  ye! — 
If  ye  see  not  the  truth  of  wise  words, 
I  leave  your  correction  to  th'  rod  of  experience. 

KING  EDGAR  (drawing  figures  with  his  sword) 

But  WHO  is  Elfrida? 
SEVERAL  VOICES. 

A  goddess!     A  goddess! 
KEN. 

Oh,  a  being  fair  whom  all  devoutly  worship 

In  Beauty's  idolatrous  temple, — where  fond 
hearts 

Are  altars,  and  the  groans  of  noble  youth 

Thrice-welcome  incense! 
ATH.  (aside) 

And  mooning  madness  high-priest,  faith! 

15 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

RED. 

How  tamely,  gods!  ye  do  discuss  Elfrida, 

The  paragon  of  loveliness, 

Of  grace,  of  virtue,  and  the  pride 

And  glory  of  her  sex! 

Where  she  appeareth,  like  the  brilliant  sun, 

Her  brightness  all  irradiates, 

And  gloom  and  darkness  from  the  face  of  care 

Fall  like  a  mantle: — 

And  when  she  speaks — 0  nightingales,  be  mute! 

For  your  most  dulcet  notes  are  dissonance 

To  the  soft  syllables  which,  from  her  lips, 

Trill  like  a  siren's  melody.  [Exit. 

ATH. 

A  pretty  canticle  that,  of  exaggeration! 

Not  unsung  in  pristine  times, 

When  the  first  ogling  maid  taugut  the  prime  fool 

That  dulcet  and  pernicious  practice — loving. 

Love's  a  drought  to  wit  and  rants  in  stock- 
phrases. 
A  NOBLE. 

Redwald  takes  unceremonious  leave,  my  liege. 
KING  EDGAR  (waking  from  a  revery) 

Oh!  he  is  gone? 

Alas!  he  Is  distraught  and  must  be  humored: 

Then  let  him  hence, — sick  fancy  buys  him  leave. 
ATH.  (impatiently) 

Declining  twilight  warns  us  hence  too,  King, — 

If  thou  wilt  pardon  an  old  man's  interruption. 
KING  EDGAR  (rising) 

We'll  to  thy  castle  straightway. 

Kenric,  impetuous  spirits  dance  on  a  precipice, 

16 


Scene  I.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

And  for  slight  cause  plunge  headlong  into  crime; 
For  thine  own  weal,  and  condign  punishment, 
Thou  shalt  abroad: 

One  year  thou  hast  to  wend  on  other  shores, 
But  welcome  back  when  time  hath  healed  this 
feud. 

KEN.  (indifferently) 

The  King's  will  is  the  subject's  law  perforce. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Blow,  trumpets,  blow! 

Blow  tnat  the  absent  huntsmen  come  apace 

With   hounds,  with    steeds,  and    eke    the    noble 
quarry. 

Sound,  sound!  (flourish  of  horns) 

Naught  answers  save  the  distant  mocking  echo, 

And  we'll  not  wait  man's  pleasure.    On,  thanes, 
on! 

ATH. 

Nay,  will  ye  go?    Kenric,  thine  arm;  — 

Rogue,  had  I  not  been  disabled!  [Exeunt. 

Enter  ATHELWOLD  hastily. 
ATHELW. 
Perish  all  laggards!  (some  drops  of  rain  fall) 

Haste  too  late  is  all  in  vain: 
Though  they  trudge  and  stride  amain 
Laggards  house  behind  fhe  rain. 

Surely   the   horns    issued   from   this    self-same 

copse, 

Though  the  King's  vanished  like  a  jack-o-lantern. 
What's  here?   (picks  up  an  object)   Old  forest, 

bring'st  me  treasure? — 

17 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  I, 

The  flashing  gewgaw  of  some  coxcomb  hunter!  — 
I'll  pocket  It.  (Hunting  music)  Hark!  again. 

[Exit. 


ACT  I.  SCENE  II.— The  banquet-hall  in  ATHEL- 
STAN'S  castle— KING  EDGAR,  ATHELSTAN, 
ATHELWOLD,  DUNSTAN,  etc.,  discovered  at 
the  board. — Trophies  of  the  chase  here  and  there. 
Festal  music. 

ATH.  (to  ATTEND.) 
Have  the  jugglers  come? 

ATTEND. 
No,  my  lord. 

ATH. 
Hang  the  dogs!   Where  tarry  they? 

ATTEND. 

Truly,  I  know  not,  my  lord.  Old  Inulf,  the  glee- 
man  that  was  once  a  French  monk,  hath  just  run 
in  with  a  company  of  players,  and  tells  of  robbers 
in  the  woods.  Belike  the  jugglers  encountered 
them  and  met  with  misadventure. 

ATH. 

Robbers  in  the  woods? — Ay!   in  the  woods,  the 

town,  and  in  the  castle.     But  of  that  anon.    Call 

this  Inulf.  [Exit.  ATTEND. 

HAKO    enters   and  seats   himself  unobserved 

amongst  the  nobles. 

KING  EDGAR. 
Marry,  Athelstan! 
A  frowning  host  points  the  guest  towards  the 

door: 
Why  that  troubled  visage? 

18 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

ATH. 

'Tis  naught,  noble  Prince, — naught,  naught. 

Re-enter  ATTEND,  with  INULF. 
Sirrah  harper! — Chant  us  a  war-ballad  or  a  song 
of  the  chase,  (aside)  'Twill  save  us  from  miscel 
laneous  caterwauling,  at  all  events.* 

INULF. 
Blithely,  your  lordship. 

[Tunes  his  harp. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Hast  none  of  the  new  things  in  thy  scrip,  glee- 
man? 

INULF. 

Gracious  sovereign,  we  are  e'en  versed  in  a  nov 
elty  of  mine  own  dealing  with  the  slaying  of  the 
werewolf.  It  is  in  advance  of  the  times,  my  lord, 
I  make  bold  to  say.  [To  ATH. 

ATH. 
A  play? 

INULF. 

In  miniature,  my  lord — better  than  a  monkish 
diversion,  truly. 

ATH. 
Come,  come! — prepare  apace,  then. 

INULF. 

Gentles  all,  consider  yourselves  on  a  highway 
near  a  village  at  dusk,  and  the  wolf  a  monstrous 
big  animal; — or  aught  superstition  paints  him. 
t  [Exit. 

*It  was  the  custom  at  all  Saxon  feasts  to  pass  the 
harp  from  guest  to  guest,  exacting  a  song  from  each  par 
ticipant.  Caedmon's  chagrin  over  his  Inability  to  sustain 
his  part  at  a  banquet,  and  the  subsequent  marvelous  hap 
penings,  are  well  known  to  all  students  of  literary  biog 
raphy. 

19 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  I, 

ATH. 

Fill  the  cups,  rogues! — fill  the  cups. 

[ATTENDANTS  fetch  drinking-cups  made  out 

of  skulls  and  fill  them,.* 
DUNSTAN  ( rising) 

Lords!  ye  have  quaffed  the  King's  health — 

Drink  ye  this  to  his  master! 
KING  EDGAR. 

Zounds!  Dunstan,  what  call  you  this  pledge? 
DUNSTAN. 

'Tis  called  the  pledge  of  skulls,  O  King! 

And  the  toast  is — TO  THE  WOKM. 

[Raises  his  cup  and  recites:  — 

DUNSTAN'S  TOAST. 

Fill  a  cup  to  the  King, 

Forget  not  thy  host, 
But  let  the  feast  "bring 

Ne  triumph  or  boast. 
Deep,  deep  in  the  earth 

Thy  cold  lord  is  crawling, 

[Holds  up  a  worm. 
And  gay  is  his  mirth — 

Sith  blithesome  his  calling. 
Ho!  he  feasts  on  the  heart 

Of  humanity's  kings, 


*The  use  of  drinking  cups  made  out  of  human  'skulls, 
especially  of  their  enemies,  was  common  enough  among 
our  savage  ancestors.  The  story  of  Alboin,  King  of  the 
Lombards,  and  Rosamond,  daughter  of  the  conquered  Cuni- 
mund.  will  probably  recur  to  the  reader's  memory ; — 
forced  to  pledge  Alboin  in  the  skull  of  her  own  father,  she 
avenged  the  atrocity  by  stabbing  the  King  to  the  heart. 

20 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

And,  his  revels  are  part 

And  the  end  of  all  things. 
His  hosts  are  the  dead, 

His  reign — 'tis  for  aye, — 
And  all  come  to  his  spread, — 

But  none  fare  away. 

[DUNSTAN  empties  his  goblet, — the  rest  fol 
lowing  suit,  noisily  and  boisterously  jesting 
the  while. 

KING  EDGAR  (flinging  his  skull  on  the  board) 
Ho,  ho,  ho! 

A  mortal  truth  but  a  ghastly  pledge, 
Dark  prelate. 
ATH. 

Faugh! — the  night's  chilly. 
DUNSTAN  (re-seating  himself) 
Lo!  the  players. 

[Here  the  Interlude. — An  arras  or  curtain  may 

be  thrown  back,  disclosing  suitable  scenery. 

Enter  INULF  and  a  young  SHEPHERDESS, 

running. 
8HEP. 
He  comes,  he  comes! — the  werewolf*  comes t — 

woe,  woe! 

Oh,  save  me,  Christ! — Oh.  Jesu — Mary — save  me! 
Tm  lost,  lost,  lost ! — No  further  can  I  flee — 

*The  werewolf  appears  In  the  folk-lore  of  many  coun 
tries.  A  story  of  a  prodigiously  big  beast,  that  none  but 
the  King  himself  could  slay,  is  related  in  some  apocry 
phal  histories  of  King  Edgar.  His  activity  in  extirpat 
ing  wolves  from  England  is  cited  by  all  historians.  It 
is,  perhaps,  needless  to  state  that  the  mythical  or  legen 
dary  feature  is  ignored  in  this  interlude. 

21 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

My    limbs    sink   under   me — 7    faint — 7   fall — 

(drops) 

Oh, — oH, — oh, — oh ! 
Gape,   kindly  earth! — gape  wide  and  hide  my 

corse. 
INULF. 

He  rushes  on  with  mighty  bounds — 0  horrible! 
0  piteous  sight! — a  mangled,  bloody  babe 
Hangs  from  his  gleaming  fangs! 
His  fiery  eyes  strike  terror  to  my  soul — 
He  foams — he  snarls  in  rage  like  rumbling  thun 
der! 

Mine  eyes  grow  dim, — 7  can  no  longer  see. 
[Falls  prone   and  covers   his   head  with   his 

mantle. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Excellent!  Excellent! — A  most  tragic  caitiff. 
ATH. 

Ay,  by  the  fiends! — he  knows  the  coward's  part: 
He  hath  rehearsed  it  in  real  life,  most  likely. 
KING  EDGAR. 
What! — already? 

Enter  a  PLAYER  impersonating  the  KING, 
with  the  werewolf s  head  on  his  shoulders. 
KING  (prodding  INULF  with  his  foot) 
What  craven  bird  is  this  that  hides  its  head, 
But  leaves  its  heart  exposed  in  witless  dread f 
INULF  (starting  up) 

That  beast! — that  beast! — Majestic  lord,  beware. 
KING. 

Unscathed  young  hinds  may  gambol  in  his  lair. 
[Flings  the  head  at  INULF's  feet. 

22 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

INULF. 

God! — is  the  fell,  devouring  monster  slain? 
KINO. 

Behold  his  poll! — and  hide  thine  own  again. 

[Kicking  the  caput. 
INULF. 

Joy!  Joy! — The  sheepcote's  safe  and  hamlet  dear. 
KING. 

Ay! — dance  and  shout — thou  late  wast  blanched 

with  fear. 
INULF. 

Unarmed  the  beast  surprised  me  on  my  way. 
KING. 

Sooth! — gentle  harper,  hadst  no  weapon,  sayt 
INULF. 

Naught  save  two  hands  and  this,  my  gilded  harp. 
KING. 

Pooh,  pooh! — exchange  that  for  a  falchion  sharp. 

[A  shout. 

Enter  a  crowd  of  VILLAGERS,  SHEPHERDS 
and  SHEPHERDESSES,  dragging  in  the 
body  of  the  wolf,  which  they  kick  lustily, 
dancing  and  slwuting  round  the  KING. — 
INULF,  seizing  his  harp,  sings: — 

BONO. 

When  the  bold  king  and  the  wild  thane 
Follow  the  chase  i'  wood  or  plain, 
Let  prowling  wolf  and  shaggy  bear, 
And  tusked,  fierce  and  bristling  boar, 
Crouch  low  and  tremble  in  the  lair! — 
Crouch  low  as  Britons  crouched  of  yore 

23 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  7, 

When,  conquered,  from  the  wailing  field 
The  routed  hosts  for  refuge  fled, 
And,  long  in  caverns*  deep  concealed, 
Shunned  conflict  with  the  Saxon  dread. — 

[He  varies  the  measure. 
High  beats  the  heart  in  the  wild  thane 
When  he  bestrides  a  foeman  slain, — 
Or,  first  to  spear  the  panting  boar, 
Drinks  the  red,  quick-welling  gore! — 
But  answer,  swains! — who  leads  the  van, 
Or  be  the  game  wild  beast  or  man? 
CHORUS. 

Foremost  in  chase,  foremost  in  battle, 
Where  spears  flash  and  bucklers  rattle 
The  Saxon  monarch  takes  his  stand, 
And  earns  by  might  right  to  command: — 
Conforming  to  the  ancient  plan, 
Which  croivned  the  hero  of  the  clan, — 
'Twos  thus  monarchic  rule  began. 

[The  guests  take  up  this  chorus,  clashing  their 
cups  against  the  dishes  by  way  of  accompani 
ment. 

THE  SHEPHERDESS. 

Have   done  with   thy   lame   numbers! — Let  me 
finish  it.  [Seizing  the  harp  she  sings:  — 

SONG. 

To  the  music  of  the  trembling  string 
Chant  the  true  praises  of  the  King: — 


*The  fastnesses  In  the  mountains  of  Cornwall  and 
"Wales  were  the  final  refuge  of  many  of  the  Britons, 
beaten  In  almost  all  their  compalgns  with  the  Anglo- 
Saxons. 

24 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Ten  thousand  thanes  at  his  command 
Wage  Moody  war  with  ruthless  hand — 
Ay!  but  he,  renowned  for  peace,* 
Bade  the  trumpet's  clangor  cease, 
Bade  the  mourner's  voice  be  stilled, 
Bade  the  fruitful  fields  be  tilled, 
Where  the  croaking  raven,  flitting, 
And  the  vulture,  grimly  sitting, 
Gorge  their  carrion  maw  no  more:  — 
For  the  page  of  England's  story, 
Teeming  with  the  warrior's  glory, 
Is  turned  down  for  one  less  gory, — 
And  the  troublous  days  are  o'er. 

ANOTHER  (taking  the  harp) 

And  ah!  since  so  decreed  above, 
Triumphant  valor  bends  to  love, 
And  in  the  sparkling  ee 
Of  golden-tressed  virginity — 

KING. 

Break  off,  break  off!    God  wot,  we  ken  its  spell! 
Good  villeins  all! — play  catch — and  so  farewell. 

[Scatters  largess  and  exit  attended  by  INULF. 
After  lively  scrambling,  struggling  and  bick 
ering,  exeunt  omnes  shouting  as  before: — 
which  ends  the  Interlude. 

ATM. 

O  admirable  King! 

There's  for  thy  seasonable  interruption. 

[Throws  a  jeweled  brooch  in  a  tray. 


*King  Edgar  (959-975)  was  called  the  "Peaceful,"  his 
reign  being  signalized  by  no  great  wars,  not  even  with  the 
Danes. 

26 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  I, 

KING  EDGAR. 

There's  for  the  harper.  [Throws  a  bracelet. 

ATHELW. 

There  too. — That  play  hath  verisimilitude 
Where  the  characters  show  discretion. 

[Contributes  the  ring  he  found  in  the  woods. 
Other  nobles  follow  suit,  and  soon  the  tray  is 
full  of  glittering  jewels. 

KING  EDGAR  (calling) 
Inulf!     Inulf! — come. 
Re-enter  INULF. 

ATH.  (pointing) 

There's  for  your  pains; — but  hark  thou, 
The  brooch  to  him  that  played  king. 

HAKO  (springs  forward) 
And  the  whole  tray  to  Hako! 

[Seizes  it,  bowls  over  INULF  and  exit.  All  rise 
in  confusion. 

CHORUS. 
A  robber!    A  robber! 

ATH. 

Ho,   sentinels! — ho,   archers!      Seize  him,   seize 
him! 

[Rushes  out,  followed  by  the  company. — DUN- 
STAN  keeps  his  seat,  laughing  and  playing 
with  the  worm. 

A  CRY  FROM  WITHIN. 
He  has  escaped!   He  has  escaped!    [Scene  closes. 


26 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ACT  I,  SCENE  III. — London. — A  room  in  the  royal 
palace.— KING  EDGAR  present,  with  several  trib 
utary  kings,  their  trains,  courtiers,  etc. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Cousin  of  Mercia,  say, — or  ill  or  well, 
How  fares  it  with  the  Boroughs?* 

FIRST  KING. 

Peace  reigns,  law  triumphs,  and  the  half-shorn 
Dane 

Follows  the  plow,  forgetful  of  the  Raven.f 
KING  EDGAR. 

Tis  well. 
SECOND  KING. 

Royal  and  puissant  Edgar! — grant  a  boon. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Ask  it. 
SEC.  KING. 

Come  dwell  with  me  in  Albin. 
KING  EDGAR. 

In  Albin? 
SEC.  KING. 

Ay!— in  Albin— 

There  the  maids  are  fresh  and  fair,  and  little 
wont 

To  leave  young,  doughty  kings  content  to  roam 


*The  "Five  Boroughs,"  strongholds  of  the  Danes,  were 
Derby,  Lincoln,  Leicester,  Stamford  and  Nottingham . 

•^The  "Raven," — the  standard  of  the  Danes  in  King 
Alfred's  time, — viewed  with  superstitious  reverence  by  the 
fierce  harriers  of  the  North.  It  was  fabled  to  possess 
miraculous  properties,  always  bringing  victory  when  car 
ried  in  battle,  because  worked  by  the  hands  of  the  daugh 
ters  of  King  Lodbrog. 

27 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

Unspoused  and  lorn:* — a  state  which  some  p — d 
lords 

Cross  a  wide  waste  of  waters  to  escape  from — 

Not  naming  other  advantages  of  the  cure. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Go  to,  go  to! 
SEC.  KING. 

Nay,  beshrew  me,  King! 

I  pity  thee: — thy  ill-warmed  couch  cries  shame 

On  all  the  lagging  dames  of  merry  England. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Gramercy,     Kenneth! — gramercy.      (aside)     Ill- 
warmed, 

Forsooth! 

SEC.  KING. 

Ah,  well! — th'  inevitable  rules  us:  — 

Belike  the  English  soil,  malign  and  sterile, 

Breeds    naught    that   kicks    its  way  beneath     a 
smock 

Save  holy  nuns,  and  unhipped  spinsterhood. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Tush,  man! — oft  holy  nuns  are  young  and  charm 
ing. 
SEC.  KING. 

E'en  here?    E'en  here? 

Now,  by  my  halidom!     I  doubt  it  not, — 

Nay,  nay! 

Discerning  shavelings  will  look  well  to  that, — 

For,  like  the  best  of  ruttish  masculinity, 


*King  Edgar  was  unmarried  at  this  period,  though  liv 
ing  with  Elfleda,  his  favorite  mistress,  according  to 
Hume,  till  he  married  Elfrida. 

28 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

With  most  lascivious  sith  forbidden  relish 

They  con  each  pleasing  bulge  and  curve  of  con 
tour 

That  marks  fair  woman  dedicate  to  maternity — 

For  all  their  beads,  and  psalms,   and  groaning 
penances! 

Heigh-ho! — solitude,  thy  joys  soon  cloy. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Impious  Scot!     Art  not  ashamed? 
SBC.  KING  (pursuing  his  lent) 

Go  to, — egad! — thou  know'st  full  well — who  bet 
ter?— 

That  in  all  nunn'ries  there  be  eyes  and  legs 

May  make  cold  monks  forget  their  prayers — and 
chastity. 

Kings  are  sometimes  tempted. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Bluff  Kenneth,  when  there's  honey  in  the  hive 

High  convent  walls  are  not  impregnable:* 

And  men  were  made  to  use  their  opportunities. 

Ha,  ha,  ha! 
CHORUS  OF  COURTIERS  IN  BACKGROUND. 

Ha,  ha,  ha! 
SEC.  KING  (to  FIRST) 

Alfear,  methinks  those  roving,  beady  eyes, 

Which   'neath   redundant   brows    gaze   half   ex 
tinguished 

From  thy  nose-dominated  face, 

Turn  darkly  on  us. — Speak! 

What  growl'st  thou  in  thy  beard? 


*Edgar,  so  highly  lauded  by  the  cowled  chroniclers,  was 
actually  guilty  of  breaking  into  a  convent  and  carrying  off 
EcKtha,  a  nun,  to  be  his  concubine. 

29 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  I, 

FIRST  KING. 
That  Kenneth  lies. 

SEC.  KING  (his  hand  to  his  sword) 
How,  lies?— Death,  villain! 

FIRST  KING  (ditto,  advancing) 
Most  impudently  lies,  thou  babbling  tarn! 
Slandering  religion  and  our  womanhood. 

[Both  draw. 

KING  EDGAR. 
Sheathe   swords,   sheathe   swords,   ye  turbulent 

kings! 
This  in  the  presence? 

SEC.  KING  (sheathing) 
Well,  well! 

He  doth  proclaim  himself  of  meager  wit 
Who  draws  his  blade  In  dudgeon  o'er  a  jest. 

FIRST  KING  (ditto) 
What! 

Thy  plaided  wenches  with  be-porridged  chaps 
Compare  with  Freya's  children?    Flippant  Pict, 
I  tell  thee,  though  thou  searchedst  all  the  stars 
That  gleam  in  Orion's  baldric,  thou  couldst  never 
Find  peer  to  our  Earl  Olgar's  daughter. 

KING  EDGAR. 
Ha! 

SEC.  KING. 

Nay,  I  have  done.    Discretion  pens  my  thoughts 
Safe  under  bolt  and  key:  intemperance  rages. 

[Turns  away.* 


*This  is  hardly  an  injustice  to  King  Kenneth : — his 
disposition  to  talk  more  than  he  would  maintain  is  in 
stanced  in  the  story  about  King  Edgar  when  the  latter 
took  him  to  task  in  the  wood  for  his  jest  about  his — 
King  Edgar's — stature.  • 

30 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

FIRST  KING. 
'Fore  God,  well  done! 
Bolt  fast  that  tongue  lest  ignorance  break  gaol. 

KING  EDGAR. 

A  truce,  a  truce!     The  strife  grows  wearisome. 
What  have  we  now? 
Enter  DUNSTAN. 

DUNSTAN. 
Saint  Peter  smite  the  sacrilegious  hilding! 

SEC.  KING. 
'Sblood! 

KING  EDGAR. 
How  now,  Dunstan? 

DUNSTAN. 

King!  for  thy  private  ear  and  present  audience 
I  have  a  tale  of  most  abhorrent  villainy. 

KING  EDGAR  (smiling) 

Nay,  is  it  so?  We'll  give  it  audience,  Abbot:  — 
(turns  to  others) 

Good  Princes,  grant  us  leave  and  we  anon 

Will  make  amends  with  sumptuous  entertain 
ment. 

Kenneth,  some  jests  break  bones, — keep  that  in 
mind; 

And  thou,  good  Alfear,  learn  to  smile  at  raillery. 

[Exeunt    KING    EDGAR    and    DUNSTAN.— 
Scene  ends. 


31 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

ACT  I,  SCENE  IV. — Another  room  in  the  same. — 
KING-  EDGAR  leaning  negligently  against  a 
window. 

Enter  DUNSTAN  and  OFFA.* 

DUNSTAN. 
Behold! 

KING  EDGAR  (impatiently) 
Cowl; — cowl   and   cassock,   nothing   else,   Arch 
bishop. 

DUNSTAN  (throwing  back  OFFA'S  hood) 
What  seest  thou  now? 

KING  EDGAR. 
Why,  a  man — 

Cry  you  mercy — no! — a  monk — that  wears  shame 
faced 

A  livid  scar  athwart  each  chap,  which  somewhat 
Mars  his  swart  visage, — Mass,  he  hath  no  need 
To  make  the  sign  o'  the  cross  at  his  devotions! 
For  he  hath  two  in's  face — one  on  each  cheek. 

DUNSTAN  (sternly) 

Coldly  thou  jestest,  monarch! — though  the  heart 
Of  priesthood  bled  when  violence  dealt  this  blow. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Heyday,  heyday! — our  birthright  that,  good  Dun- 
stan. 


*In  the  chronicle  the  ostensible  object  of  Athelwold's 
visit  to  Olgar  is  given  as  being  to  look  after  certain  mili 
tary  marches  or  boundaries,  supposedly  in  danger  from 
an  incursion  of  Danes.  But  as  the  play  needed  a  villain, 
as  well  as  an  object  for  the  visit,  the  author  thought  here 
to  kill  two  birds  with  one  stone. 

32 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

DUNSTAN. 

The  priest  is  privileged,  for  his  sacred  person 
Is  the  faith's  temple: — wherefore  mere  indigni 
ties 

In  others  are,  when  visited  on  a  priest, 
Atrocious  crimes,  and  cry  to  Heav'n  for  ven 
geance. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Then  to  the  purpose,  Abbot: — who  hath  wrought 
This  grievous  injury? 

DUNSTAN. 
Olgar. 

KING  EDGAR,  (aside) 

That    name    again! — the    man    blessed    with    a 

daughter — 
There's  sorcery  in  the  theme. 

DUNSTAN. 

Who  harbors  evil-doers  or  protects 
Thereby  transfers  their  guilt  to  his  own  shoul 
ders: — 

What  an  the  servant  smote  him? — 
He  goes  unpunished  through  his  master's  favor, 
This  self-same  Olgar,  Earl  of  Devonshire — 
Wherefore  Lord  Olgar, — whom  I  here  arraign 
Culprit  in  chief,  not  mere  accessory,  look  you — 
Incurs  full  odium  for  the  hellish  crime. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Thou  reasonest  most  subtly,  learned  prelate. 

(aside) 

O  chance!  how  wonderfully  dost  thou  gibe 
Occasion  to  our  purposes. 

33 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

DUNSTAN. 

Offa,  each  fact  and  circumstance  relate 

Of  the  fell  outrage. 
OFFA. 

Alas!    Alas!  [.Wrings  his  hands,  etc. 

DUNSTAN. 
See,  how  the  holy  man 
Weeps  to  bring  accusation! 

OFFA. 

Venerable  Archbishop,  and  renowned  Prince, 
I  freely  do  forgive  mine  enemies 
Like  Christ; — like  him  renounce  all  vengeance. 

DUNSTAN. 

Woe  to  the  malefactors!     Church  and  State 
Shall  them  aread  their  harshest  penalties. 

OFFA. 

Nay! — under  your  gracious  favor,  the  poor  priest 
Will  hence  and  leave  them  unindicted. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Not  so,  not  so,  sir  priest! — thou  shalt  recount, 
We  do  command  thee — and  that  most  minutely — 
How  thou  cam'st  by  this  same  disfigurement. 

DUNSTAN. 

The  priest's  cause  is  Religion's,  and  the  Church 
Hath  in  his  wrongs  more  injury  than  himself. 

OFFA. 

Oh,  I  am  moved  by  that  appeal! — though  loth 
For  mine  own  sake  to  bring  destruction  on 
HER  enemies — though  richly  they  deserve  it. 

[With  venom. 

KING  EDGAR,  (impatiently) 
Come,  monk! — unbosom  thyself. 

34 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOEITE. 

OFFA. 

Know  then,  that  Olgar  hath  an  hoary  steward 
Hight  Ina,  who  has  ta'en  in  his  senectitude 
A  young  wife  and  a  comely. — Well-a-way! 
Age  brings  no  sapiency  to  jealous  fools. 
But  thus  it  chanced: — in  a  most  fatal  moment 
She  falling  sick,  unhaply  sent  for  me 
To  minister  unto  her  in  her  illness 
According  to  my  priestly  offices;  — 
Comforting  her  fears  one  evening,  and  at  parting 
Laying  my  chaste  hands  on  her  bosom  thus, 
And  bowing  down  my  head  to  breathe  upon  her 
The  holy  benediction, — in  rushed  Ina, 
And  with  outrageous,  sacrilegious  words — 
Charging  his  priest  with  sinful  liberties — 
Dragged  ME — austere,  devout  and  innocent!  — 
Forth  by  the  heels,  and  cruelly  with  his  dagger 
Smote  me,  O  God!    (weeps)   And  thus,  forever- 
more 

Scarred  and  disfigured,  shall  the  hapless  priest 
Wander  the  earth,  exposed  to  scoff  and  jeer, 
As  Ina  vowed  I  should  be — as  a  warning, 
So  he  declared,  unto  all  priests  like  me: 
Wherefore  he  spared  my  life. 

[Bows  down  his  head  and  weeps  amain. 

DUNSTAN  (raising  his  hand  in  imprecation) 
Strike  him  with  palsy,  Christ! 
Living  or  dying,  if  his  lips  blaspheme 
Thy  name  in  prayers  for  mercy. 

KING  EDGAR  (coldly) 

Thou  hast  had  some  ill-usage,  but  methinks 
Olgar's  connection  is  not  yet  apparent; — 

35 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

Known  privileges,  'tis  true,  were  scarce  re 
spected! 
OFFA. 

Concealed  by  Olgar,  Ina  foils  the  law. 
KING  EDGAR  (with  alacrity) 

Hah! — then  shall  we  direct  a  messenger 

Despatch  unto  him,  charged  with  our  command 

To  yield  up  Ina  to  the  magistrates, 

And  likewise  prompt  the  latter  to  their  duty. 

[He  is  agitated. 
DUNSTAN. 

And  bills  of  excommunication  thou 

Shalt  bear  for  both: — if  Olgar  prove  recalci 
trant — 

But  all  events  for  Ina. 
OFFA  (aside) 

Faith!    I  have  somewhat  overshot  the  mark. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Lord  Athelwold  shall  be  our  envoy; — him 

Thou  canst  accompany,  monk. 
OFFA  (aside) 

Who  spurs  too  hard  betimes, 
May  ride  too  far  betimes.* 
DUNSTAN. 

Bate  not  a  moment: — forth  upon  the  journey, 

And  I  will  furnish  needful  funds  and  documents. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Abbot,  bid  Athelwold  attend.      [Exit  DUNSTAN. 
OFFA  (kneeling) 

Most  gracious  sovereign! 

I  do  beseech  thee,  let  me  bear  thy  message — 


'Suggested   by   "he   tires   betimes   that    spurs   too    fast 
betimes." 

36 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Mass!  it  doth  ill  beseem  a  noble  earl 
To  leave  his  pleasures  for  an  humble  priest, 
When  one  may  bear  the  twofold  instrument — 
This  from  the  Church,  the  other  from  the  State — 
Which  shall,  without  great  argument,  constrain 
The  quaking  subject  to  grant  speedy  redress 
To  me — how  wronged,  but  oh! — how  prone  to 
pardon. 

KING  EDGAR  (drumming) 
He  speaks! 

OFFA. 
Upon  his  knees  the  priest  implores  the  boon. 

KING  EDGAR. 
Oh! — thou  art  kneeling — rise! 

[OFFA  does  so. 
Re-enter  DUNSTAN  icith  ATHELWOLD. 

Abbot,  I  prithee,  take  thy  follower  hence, 
And  presently  Earl  Athelwold  shall  join  him. 

[Exeunt  DUNSTAN  and  OFFA. 
Welcome,   my   heart!     (the   KING   embraces 

ATHELW.) 

How  are  thy  spirits? — Nay,  I  need  not  ask: — 
For  in  thine  eye  the  soul  of  content  beams, 
And   thou   canst  know  no  dumps   whose   every 

mood 

Of  being's  but  a  phase  of  happiness. 
Oh!  on  that  brow,  so  fair,  so  smooth,  so  open, 
May  never  guilt,  desire  or  foiled  ambition 
Stamp  their  dark  impress  of  sinister  lines. — 
Alas! 

ATHELW. 
Why  sighs  my  King? 

37 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  I, 

KING  EDGAR. 
King,  king! — again,  alas! 

ATHELW. 

What,  kings  have  griefs  too? 
'This  true  then — not  philosophy's  mere  carping? 

KING  EDGAR. 
Oh,  for  the  subject's  lot! — I  hate  mine  own. 

ATHELW. 

Subjects  there  be  not  loth  for  such  exchange, 
As  kings  have  found  ere  this  to  their  own  cost. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Blind  ignorance  fathers  still  ambition's  spawn, 
And  robs  of  peace  to  dower  with  despair. 
Oh,  little  kens  the  sheltered  rush  of  storms 
That  rage  above  and  waste  the  lordly  elm! 
Place  and  high  rank — alas,  what  specious  bau 
bles! 

Kings  are  but  impotent  playthings  in  the  hands 
Of  Fate,  and  at  the  best  but  master-puppets 
That  dance  betimes  upon  the  string  of  passion, 
And  other  chords  that  move  the  simplest  swain 
To  sorry  capers,  long  the  jest  of  sages, 
And  e'en  perhaps  less  fortunate  and  weaker, 
Plus  their  peculiar  cares,   (abruptly)  Dost  know 
Elfrida? 

ATHELW. 
Mine  ears  her  fame  but  not  mine  eyes  her  person. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Is  she  betrothed  that  steals  the  hearts  of  all? 

ATHELW. 

To  none  betrothed,  though  courted  by  the  realm, 
She  reigns  a  fickle  queen  and  fancy-free. 

38 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Come  hither,  then,  and  softly  in  thine  ear 

I'll  whisper  my  confession: — 

Edgar  will  wed  her. 
ATHELW. 

Sire? 
KING  EDGAR. 

Edgar  will  wed  her. 

ATHELW. 

Oh! — kindly  stars  did  smile  upon  her  birth — 
May  they  still  shed  blessings  on  her  nuptials! 

KING  EDGAR  (pacing  the  room) 
Yes! 
Let  her  be  crowned  that's  hailed  the  queen  of 

beauty, 

Since  I  must  banish  self  to  banish  her: — 
E'er  in  my  waking  ear  her  praises  ring, 
E'er  to  my  sleeping  eye  her  image  comes — 
At  least  as  fancy  fond  depictures  her — 
Radiant  and  young,  and  graceful  as  a  sprite. 
Alas! — she  hath  become  the  soul  of  me, 
Creeping  by  stealth  into  the  deepest  crypts 
Of  being,  where  she  reigns  enshrined  in  love. 
Oh! — at  the  casual  mention  of  her  name 
My  pulses  thrill  with  rapture,  and  desire 
Most  vehement  consumes  me.* 
But  Athelwold,  before  we  put  the  picture 
In's  golden  frame  thou  shalt  inspect  it  closely, 
And  with  the  critic's  captious  eye  pronounce 
What  charm  is  overdrawn,  what  flaw  exists:  — 


•The  ardent  and  inflammable  nature  of  King  Edgar  Is 
but  too  well  attested  by  authentic  history. 

39 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  I, 

And  for  this  purpose  shalt  direct  repair, 

Attended  as  is  meet,  to  Olgar's  castle; 

Where,  if  the  maid's  as  fair  and  good  as  rumored, 

Thou  shalt  bespeak  her  consort  to  thy  King; 

And  as  a  token  of  authority 

Wear  this,  my  signet. 

{.Gives  ATHELWOLD  his  ring. 
ATHELW. 

How  if  I  judge  amiss,  alas,  O  King? 
KING  EDGAR. 

Thou  shalt  not  suffer  for  default  of  judgment, 

But  by  thy  hopes! — by  all  thou  boldest  sacred! 
(solemnly) 

Swear  on  thy  knees  not  to  betray  thy  King, 

But  speak  the  truth,  bating  nor  jot  nor  tittle 
.  Of  all  thou  seest,  of  all  thou  hearest. 

[The  KING  raises  his  hand. 
ATHELW.  (kneeling) 

Witness,  high  Heaven!  I  take  the  solemn  oath. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Then  get  thee  gone, — I'll  rail  at  lagging  time, 

And  pine  till  thou  returnest.        [They  embrace. 
ATHELW. 

Farewell! — thou  wilt  commend   thy  favorite's 

zeal.  [Going. 

KING  EDGAR,  (turns  in  the  act  of  retiring) 

Oh! — bide  a  moment — stay — a  black-browed 
priest, 

I  do  bethink  me,  waits  for  thee  without, 

And  he  will  travel  in  thy  company. 

In  sooth,  thy  mission  is  supposed  to  be 

In  his  behalf — this  satellite  of  Dunstan — 

40 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

To  bring  to  justice  one  whom  Olgar  shields 

Who  hath  done  Off  a  injury. — But  dissemble!  — 

Cloak  well  the  true  design  with  feigned  zeal 

For  Off  a,  but  encompass  the  main  object; 

And  mark  me,  for  the  matter  in  dispute, 

Adjust  it  not  to  Olgar's  detriment 

Be  what  its  merits  may,  or  Dunstan's  wishes, 

Who  will  enlarge  upon  particulars. 

Away,  and  learn  the  truth! — and  may  thy  lips 

Blast  not  my  hopes! 

ATHELW. 

Forefend  it,  kindly  Heaven! 

[Exeunt  severally. 


41 


ACT  n. 


ACT  II. 

ACT    II,    SCENE    I.— The    forest   near    ATHELr 
STAN'S  castle. 

Enter  FOUR  OUTLAWS  dragging  in  RED- 
WALD. 
FIRST  OUT. 
Jog,  jog!  [Pushing  RED. 

SEC.  OUT.  (sings) 

SONG. 

Robbing  the  rich  that  rob  the  poor 
Is  Fortune's  spite,  misfortune's  cure; — 
And  Fortune's  still  a  blind  old  dame, 
Leaving  a  crutch  where  none  are  lame- 
E'er,  as  the  poor  knock  at  her  door, 
Still  busy  with  some  rich  man's  store, 
While  they  that  lack  may  need,  I  ween, 
Till  glowing  icicles  are  seen:  — 

Thus  runs  the  world  awry — 

Sing  ho!  the  world's  awry. 
The  rich  man's  all,  the  poor  man's  nought, — 
The  world  foreclosed,  e'en  Heaven  is  bought — 

Deny't,  fat  priest!  deny. 
You  like  it  not? — Then  move  a  peg — 

Get  off  the  planet! — 
Or  if  y'  will  not  meekly  die, 

Nor  yet  trapan*  it, 
Why,  zounds,  dog!  cringe  and  beg — 

God  keep  the  rich,  sing  I! 
CHORUS. 

They  shall  divide,  divide,  divide! 

*  Trapan — to  cozen,  to  take  advantage  of  by  trick,  snare, 
or  stratagem, — hence  to  prosper  by  unfair  means  at  the 
world's  expense. 

45 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

FIRST  OUT. 

/  claim  the  cloak  he  flaunts  with  pride. 

[Tears  it  off. 
SEC.  OUT. 

His  coat  is  mine,  that  fact  is  plain.      [Seizes  it. 

THIRD  OUT. 

And  lest  in  cuerpo*  he  remain 
I'll  strip  the  duke  amain,  amain:  — 

[Going  about  it. 
'Twere  ill  a  lord  of  his  degree 
Should  lack,  sirs,  in  civility. 

FOURTH  OUT. 

Bravo! — and  not  to  see  me  out 
He'll  grant  his  "breeches  too,  sans  doubt. 

[To  his  spoils. 

RED.  (struggling) 
Fiends!    Fiends! 

FIRST  OUT. 

To  it,  Harold!  Thou'lt  taste  defeat  else,  (sings) 
Where  twain  do  strive 
Not  twain  may  thrive. 

SEC.  OUT. 

Ho,  ho,  ho!  He  has  his  hands  full,  (sings) 
His  shirt,  his  breeches  and  his  shoes — 
Quoth  he — I've  still  some  skin  to  lose. 

THIRD  OUT. 

Bully  boy!     Bully  boy!     I  could  split  my  sides 
laughing. 


*In  cuerpo — "without  the  formalities  of  full  dress ; 
without  cloak  or  upper  garment,  the  shape  of  the  body 
being  exposed" — en  deshabille. 

46 


Scene  I.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

SEC.  OUT. 

La,  they'll  stick,  they'll  stick!  Two  pence  he 
don't  shell  him. 

FIRST  OUT. 
I'll  take  ye. 

FOURTH  OUT.  (panting) 
Pest  on't!    I'll  straighten  thee.  [Draws  a  dagger. 

CHORUS. 
Hold!     Hold! 
Enter  HAKO. 

HAKO. 

How  now! — what  do  ye?     Stay  thy  murthering 
hand! 
[Knocks  the  OUTLAW'S  dagger  from  his  grasp. 

FOURTH  OUT. 

Faith,  Captain! not  so  fast: — we  have  e'en  limed 
a  bird  of  gay  plumage.  Oh!  you  will  struggle, 
will  you?  [To  RED. 

FIRST  OUT. 
And  let  none  hold  back  from  the  plucking,  say  I. 

SEC.  OUT. 

And  I. 
THIRD  OUT. 

And  I. 
HAKO. 

Nay,  as  to  that,  let  custom  prevail.     But  alack, 
Sir  Melancholy! — thou  wast  like  to  have  been 
somewhat  misused,  (to  RED.)  Ha,  ha,  ha! 
FIRST  OUT. 

Warily,  warily. 

47 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  II, 

FOURTH  OUT. 
Fear  not  me.  [Secures  RED. 

HAKO. 

What,  not  one  word? — How  took  ye  him,  gal- 
liards? 

FIRST  OUT. 
Under  an  old  oak  muttering  paternosters. 

SEC.  OUT. 

As  he  doth  now,  belike — he  screws  his  face  so. 

THIRD  OUT. 
On  his  knees,  yes; — as  to  praying — well! 

FOURTH  OUT. 

Rather  searching  for  something. 
THIRD  OUT. 

More  likely. 
FIRST  OUT. 

Ods-bodikins!     What  if  this  be  the  apparition? 
HAKO. 

Apparition,  quotha? 
FIRST  OUT. 

By  the  mass,  Captain! — it  hath  haunted  the  woods 
the  past  sennight,  as  many  a  stout  forester  can 
tell  thee. 
HAKO. 

Peace,  fool! 
SEC.  OUT.  (feeling  RED.) 

Here's  common  dross! — This  is  mere  concupis- 
cential  flesh  and  blood. 

THIRD  OUT. 

Marry,  doubt  it  not! — the  ghost's  genuine. 

48 


Scene  7.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

FIRST  OUT. 
Oh! — to  be  sure,  he  lacks  the  wraith's  stature. 

SEC.  OUT. 
And  its  manly  breadth  of  shoulder. 

THIRD  OUT. 

Its  long  arms,  swinging  like  flails. 
FOURTH  OUT. 
And  its  beard. 

FIRST  OUT. 
Its  flowing  hair. 

SEC.  OUT. 

And  its  hollow  groans: — by'r  Lady! — it  fetched  a 
most  dismal  sound. 

HAKO. 

Amazement!     Ye  all  saw  it  then? 
FIRST  OUT. 

SAW  it? — Saw  the  GHOST? — hear  him!     Mass,  no! 

— not  I,  thank  you. 
SEC.  OUT. 

Nor  I. 
THIRD  OUT. 

Nor  I. 
FOURTH  OUT. 

Nor  I. 
HAKO. 

Excellent! — here's  human  nature,  (laughs  aloud) 
Here's  the  metaphysics  of  mystery! — Thus  mir 
acles  have  many  witnesses: — give  superstition 
rein  and  infected  fancy  will  blithely  describe 
things  supernatural,  which  human  eye  hath 
ne'er  seen,  with  as  much  precision  as  a  lawyer's 

49 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

clerk  draws  an  inventory,  (to  the  OUTLAWS) 
On  what  grounds,  then,  are  ye  so  circumstan 
tial?  [Confused  silence. 
FIRST  OUT.  (presently  nudging  SEC.) 

Answer!    Answer! 
SEC.  OUT.  (nudging  THIRD) 

Answer! 
THIRD  OUT.  (to  FOURTH) 

Now,  by  Saint  Denis! — was't  not  you  told  it  me? 
FOURTH  OUT.  (cornered) 

Who,  I? — well! — I — (defiantly)  I  had  Tom  Thim- 
blewit's  word  for  it. 

HAKO. 

He  is  not  here — ay,  thus  it  goes. 
FIRST  OUT. 
A  true  ghost-seer,  Tom!  [More  confidently. 

FOURTH  OUT. 

Seven-seventh  son — born  with  a  caul  on  Sunday. 

What,  doubt  Tom? 
FIRST  OUT. 

He  smelt  horribly  of  brimstone  that  night — his 

doxy  swears  it. — All  know  Tom! 
SEC.  OUT. 

Oh! — there  can  be  no  mistake  about  it. 

[With  conviction. 
THIRD  OUT. 

To  be  sure  not!  [Very  positively. 

FOURTH  OUT. 

Not  a  doubt!  [As  dogmatically. 

HAKO. 

Redoubtable  authority! — Bulwarks  of  credibility! 

60 


Scene  /.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

FOURTH  OUT.  (angrily) 
Zounds! — as  to  that  twenty  others — 

FIRST  OUT. 
Ay,  FORTY!  — 

HAKO. 

Of  unimpeachable  veracity — 
So  ye  would  vouch — all  more  or  less  remote, 
I  dare  be  sworn.    But  let  it  pass — content  ye. 
(to  RED.) 

Earl,  duke,  or  prince,  who  art  thou? — speak! 

[RED.  is  silent. 
FIRST  OUT. 
He  scorns  to  answer. 

SEC.  OUT. 
His  gaze  is  lost  in  wild  vacuity. 

THIRD  OUT.  (shaking  RED.) 

Hill — hill — hilla-ho!    The  wight  is  scarce  awake. 

FOURTH  OUT.  (brandishing) 

Shall  I  knock  in  his  sinciput  with  my  partisan? 

HAKO. 

Not  so,  Harold  Hawk! 

'Tis  a  lone  springald  worth  a  goodly  ransom, — 

More  little  recks,  save  what  and  whence  he  is, 

Which  time  will  featly  tell. 

Attend  him  hence  well  guarded  to  the  cave, 

Clad  in  his  proper  raiment,  and,  though  captive, 

Accord  him  gentle  usage  in  detention. 

Despatch ! 

[The    OUTLAWS   restore   REDWALD'S   gar 
ments. 

51 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  II, 

FIRST  OUT.  (sings') 

Oh! — he  was  a  knight  for  a  lady  pert — 

Ten  stone  or  moe  of  humanized  dirt, 

With  a  trusty  sword  to  trim  his  nails, 

And  a  squire  to  catch  him  toads  and  snails: — 

For  the  Jcnight  he  loved  a  foreign  stew, 

And  found  his  fate  in  a  ragout — 

And  that  is  the  end  of  this  legend  true. 

CHORUS. 
And  that,  etc.         [Exeunt  the  FOUR  with  RED. 

HAKO  (flinging  himself  under  a  tree) 
Let  the  fool  laugh! — wise  men  lament  enow. 
Tut! — its  afflictions  keep  the  world  in  humor;  — 
Our  worst  misfortunes  tune  some  fellow's  mirth, 
Who  in  his  turn  shall  weep  while  others  laugh. 
Sarcastic  flings  create  infectious  laughter, 
But  purged  of  malice  men  were  grave  as  owls:  — 
There  lies  wit's  recompense  and  vindication. 

(pulls  a  ring  out  of  his  pocket) 
Hah,  thou  jewel, 

Thou  be'st  a  goodly  stone  right  boldly  won — 
Ho,  ho,  ho! 

The  festive  lords  would  not  say  nay  to  that, 
Thou  trophy  of  a  Dane's  audacity,  (puts  it  on) 
What  was  thy  source,  imperial  substance  pure? 
Belike  thou  shin'st  a  crystallized  ray 
Of  the  first  sun  that  warmed  Creation's  dawn, 
And  still  undimmed,  thou  mock'st  humanity — 
Unstable  matter  cast  in  tenuous  mould!  — 
With  its  mere  frail  and  passing  nothingness. 

(takes  it  off) 

52 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Ah! — a  motto,  (he  reads) 

"Losel,*  losel," — 7  hear  the  woods  groan — 

Pish! — here  be  characters  I  can't  decipher, 
Though  the  last  line  is  plain  and  legible: — 
(repeats) 

"Losel,  losel," — I  hear  the  woods  groan — 


Who  wears  the  ring  will  claim  his  own. 

Humph,  humph! 

Quaint  words  save  thought  and  cheer  the  fool's 
conceit. 

Enter  an  OUTLAW,  running. 
OUT. 

Fly,  Captain,  fly! — the  soldiers  are  upon  us. 

[Exit. 
HAKO. 

Athelstan's  archers,  by  Christ's  holy  rood, 
And,  ten  to  one,  in  odds  but  ill  withstood. 

[Exit. 

ACT  II,  SCENE  II.— The  same. 

Enter  ATHELSTAN  and  SOLDIERS  with  an 
OUTLAW,  captive. 
ATH. 

After  them,  after  them!  What  ho! — the  scent's 
but  a  hot  chase  to  the  keen  hound,  though  the 
hare  to  a  dull  one.  [Exeunt  several  SOLDIERS. 


*Losel — Careless,  wasteful,  slothful ; — used  here  Indefi 
nitely,  as  all  talismanic  inscriptions  acquire  power  from 
obscurity.  The  rest  has  reference  to  Athelwold  (or 
wald),  noble  wood,  and  Redwald,  red  wood. 

53 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

FIRST  SOLD. 

What's  to  be  done  with  this  acorn,  my  lord? 
ATH. 

Hang  him  high  on  his  native  oak,  and  that  pres 
ently. 
FIRST  SOLD. 

Festinately,  your  worship.         [Produces  a  rope. 
SEC.  SOLD. 

May  we  thus,  too,  serve  the  leader  that  so  au 
daciously  entered  your  lordship's  castle! 
ATH. 

Yea,  truly! — one  great  thief  hung  keeps  many  lit 
tle  rogues  out  of  gaol.  [Exit. 
THIRD  SOLD. 

Comrade,  wilt  pledge  me  a  cup  of  mead  ere  thou 
goest? 

FIRST  SOLD. 

Nay,  let  him  keep  his  thirst  awhile: — he'll  drink 
the  devil's  health  the  better  presently. 

SEC.  SOLD. 

Thou'lt  sup  on  hot  dishes  to-night,  Ned,  in  lieu 
of  venison. 

OUT.  (with  supreme  sang  froid) 
All's  one  for  that!  — 
The  world's  a  sorry  tavern  at  the  best, 
And  he's  the  wise  knave  that's  not  o'er  finical;  — 
Take  what's  put  in  the  dish,  sirrah! 
Where  all's  rank  a  nice  nose  starveth  a  man. 
Wouldst  more  o'  the  homily,  fellow? 
Discharge  just  reckonings,  go  about  thy  business, 
And  when  night  falls  fear  not  the  bugabo, 

54 


Scene  HI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

But  civilly  take  thy  leave,  not  grudging  those 

Privileged  to  sit  up  later, — for  thyself, 

Content  to  sleep  when  the  day's  done,  not  pul 
ing: — 

All  must  soon  follow  to  the  narrow  room. 

The  way  thou  well  canst  find  without  a  candle 

Bought  off  some  clamorous  rogue  with  half  thy 
goods — 

Oh! — 'tis  the  damned  candle  merchants 

Whose  tricks  have  vested  death  with  all  its  hor 
rors, 

And   darker  the  night  the  higher  priced  their 
wares. 

Peste! — will  ye  finish?  [He  whistles. 

FIRST  SOLD. 

Eftsoons,  thou  merry  knave! 

[Flings  the  rope  round  the  OUTLAW'S  neck. 
SEC.  SOLD. 

Ha,  ha,  ha! — He  is  in  haste  to  be  gone. 
THIRD  SOLD. 

But  some  pyramids  will  crumble  before  he  re 
turns. 
FIRST  SOLD. 

Heave  ho!  [Scene  closes, 

ACT  II,  SCENE  III.— A  village  in  DEVONSHIRE. 

Enter  two  UNDER-OFFICERS  of  a  court. 
THE  LONG  ONE. 

Has  the  case  of  Osburga  come  to  trial  yet? 
THE  SHORT  ONE. 

She  indicted  as  a  witch  with  her  daughter? 

55 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

T.  L.  O. 

The  same. 
T.  S.  O. 

Yes,  sooth; — this  morn,  and  both  acquitted. 
T.  L.  O. 

Acquitted! — and  after  the  hot  water  ordeal,*  too? 
T.  S.  O. 

Pooh,    verdancy! — name    me    not    ordeals: — are 
there  not  powders  that  steam  up  in  cold  water 
to   deceive   on-lookers?     And  are   not  judges 
vendible? 
T.  L.  0. 

Are  eggs? — Well! — as  to  that  girl,  I  regret  not 
her  coming  off,  seeing  that  she  is  the  less  cen 
surable  under  her  bringing-up. 
T.  S.  O. 

O'er-young,  too,  methinks: — beat  thine  ass  too 
much  when  his  hide  is  tender  and  thou  canst 
throw  the  scourge  away  anon,  and  find  Goli 
ath's  staff  a  vain  prod. 
T.  L.  O. 
Who  can  censure  her? — Where  the  channel  winds 

the  stream  turns:  as  bred  so  sped. 
T.  S.  O. 

Meaning  that,  as  a  winding  channel  makes  a 
crooked  stream,  so  evil  habits  learned  in  youth 
lead  betimes  to  shame  and  ruth.  Early  misdi 
rection  indeed  leads  apace  to  bootless  repent 
ance.  [Very  oracularly  lilce  the  rest  of  this  talk. 


*Ordeals — It  is  probably  unnecessary  to  remind  the 
reader  that  the  ordeal  of  red-hot  iron  was  reserved  for 
the  aristocracy,  that  of  hot  water  allotted  to  the  common 
people. 

56 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

T.  L.  O. 

Yes,  faith,  thou  commentary! — And  conversely, 
whoso  lieth  among  flowers  carrieth  with  him 
betimes  the  fragrance  thereof: — so  good  breed 
ing  long  defies  bad  living. 
T.  S.  O. 

By  the  beards  of  thy  apothegms! — I  am  aweary. 
What  say'st — shall  we  not  take  yon  by-path 
(pointing)  and  save  time? 
T.  L.  O. 

To  save  time? — Ha,  ha,  ha! 
T.  S.  O. 

Why  laugh'st? 
T.  L.  0. 

Ha,  ha,  ha! — There's  something  beyond  the  hedge 
— that's  thy  concern  (sings) 

He  sleeps  sound  who  never  winks, 
But  sure  he's  dead  who  never  drinks. 
T.  S.  O. 
Thou  long-winded  attenuation! — Why  dost  eat, 

hah?    Tell  me  that 
T.  L.  0. 

Go  to; — short  words  take  long  paces. 
T.  S.  O. 

I  scorn  thee  and  thy  insinuations.    What,  sir! — I 
deny  not  a  seemly  official  portliness,   (patting 
it)    or   the   infirmity  of  short  legs,  but   defy 
rank  comparisons.    As  to  agility — 
T.  L.  O. 

Short  legs? — Ah! — that  reminds  me — I'll  mollify 
thee  with  a  story.    A  FAT  WIDOW  BATHING — 

[Exeunt. 

57 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

FROM  BEHIND  THE  SCENES. 
Ha,  ha,  ha! 


ACT  II,  SCENE  IV. — The  same. — A  lane  with  a  hut 
in  the  background. 

Enter  ROWENA  and  an  OLD  SAXON. 

ROW. 

Like  dew  upon  the  shriveled  leaf  and  sere, 
Mocking  the  death  within,  upon  my  heart 
Distill*  thy  words  of  comfort  all  untimely. 
Alas,  my  youth! — Oh,  guileless  innocence!  — 
Why  was  I  born? — unskilled  in  human  wiles!  — 
An  orphan,  too! — but  doubly  now  deserted. 

"He  will  return!" — thus  evermore  anon 

Hope  buoys  the  sinking  heart — 

"He  will  return" — but  vain  the  straining  eye 

Seeks  the  familiar  features  in  each  throng;  — 

Vain  the  ear  hearkeneth  at  the  midnight  hour — 

Startled  to  watchfulness  when  dead  leaves  fall, 

When  all  may  sleep 

Save  frenzy,  guilt  and  love, 

By  cozening  hopes  still  roused  to  bootless  vigil, 

Till  the  sick  soul  find  surcease  in  the  grave. 

O  Death!    Thou  hast  been  ruthless  called, 

But  art  less  cruel  than  man, 

For  thou,  Necessity  Inevitable! 

Oft  heal'st  deep  wounds  no  other  cure  retrieves, 

Which  man  inflicts  on  man  in  wantonness; 

And  thou,  the  great  recourse, 


*  Distill — dis  and  stillo — to  drop  down, — here  used  ety- 
mologically. 

58 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Fail'st  neither  time,  nor  place,  nor  age,  nor  sex! 
But  ever,  like  an  indulgent  mother,  coming — 
An  all-just  power — giv'st  long  respite  to  pain. 

(she  kneels) 

Lord! — in  supreme  compassion 
Uproot  the  broken  reed — 
Woe,  woe  is  me! — but  not  alone  destroy, 
Not  on  one  only  pour  thy  vials  of  wrath, 
But  on  him  also — O  perfidious  wretch! — 
The  perjured  father  of  the  babe  unborn. 

[She  weeps — he  waits  for  the  storm  to  subside. 
OLD  SAX.  (a*  length) 
Dost  sigh  for  death? 

ROW. 

Ay  me,  unhappy! — Do  I  sigh  for  death? 
That  boon — 

OLD  SAX. 
Peace! — here's  that  shall  serve  thee.   (produces 

a  vial) 

Draw  but  the  stopper  and  inhale  two  breaths, 
And  thou  wilt  sink  in  deadly  torpor  down, — 
Oblivious  clay  ere  thought  can  frighten  faith. 
Nay! — shrink  not  back, — why  dost  thou  hesitate? 
Dastards  lament  the  fate  they  durst  not  mend. 
Or  wouldst  thou  rather  plunge  into  thy  bosom — • 
Like    a    true    Norseman's    daughter — trenchant 

steel? 
Take  then  this  instrument.         {.Offers  a  dagger. 

ROW.  (recoiling) 
Away! 

Thou  mock'st  me,  knowing  well  I  durst  not  do  it: 
Frail  woman's  desperate  resolutions  ever 

59 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

Fall  short  the  deed,  put  suddenly  to  the  touch — 
What! — two  at  one  fell  stroke? — no,  no! 
Besides — who  knows? — Tie  yet  may  learn  contri 
tion. 

OLD  SAX. 

Oh,  notable  juggling! — Sweet  consistency! 
Here's  the  very  cozenage  thou  complain'dst  of. 

ROW. 

Oh,  tax  me  not  with  that! — what  hath  consistency 
To  do  with  woman? — Whiles  the  winds  blow 
Where  the  winds  list,  her  moods  will  veer  and 

vary. 

But,  hoary  mentor,  I  perceive  thy  drift: — 
Unruly  minds  are  curbed  by  harsh  reproof, 
When  mild  remonstrance  fails — I  humbly  thank 

thee. 

Thy  lesson  proves  these  lips  belie  my  heart, 
Which  clings  to  life,  o'er-burdened  though  it  be;- 
And  still  I  love. — Ah,  cruel  Thelwy!  [She  weeps. 

OLD  SAX.  (leaning  on  his  staff) 

Girl,  this  is  better; — I  commend  thee  for  it. 
Passion  affects  a  tragic  insincerity, 
But  they  are  not  deceived  who  read  humanity. 
Live  on! — Hope  ever! — nay,  why  shouldst  thou 

not — 

Since,  to  assuage  the  pangs 
Of  that  small,  festering  sore  i'  the  loins  of  Time- 
Man! — 

No  healing  balm  exists  save  this  same  hopeful 
ness? 

But  look  you,  sundry  faculties, 
Powers  or  attributes,  call  them  what  you  please — 

GO 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Prudence  and  fortitude,  hope,  faith  and  judger 

meat, 

With  instincts  keen,  beneficent  and  true — 
Obedient  all  to  wise-directing  Reason, 
Have  been  implanted  in  the  human  soul, 
And,  rightly  exercised,  are  fully  equal 
To  all  our  petty,  mundane  exigencies. 
But  mortals,  ignorant,  rash  or  little  versed 
In  their  own  strength,  contemning  innate  powers, 
Bewail — lugubrious — ills  of  folly  born; — 
And  sunk  supine,  in  prayer — 
Though  'gainst  adversities  full-panoplied,   fore- 
provided — 

Assail  high  Heaven  with  cries  unwearied, 
Thinking  to  move  Omnipotence — 
Vertiginous  weaklings,  thought-incompetent!  — 
To  unseemly  supererogation: — 
Like  bold  petitioners  pressing  to  the  King, 
When  at  the  foreign  capital  installed 
Dwell  his  ambassadors  with  plenary  power. 
For  such  I  deem  our  faculties  divine — 
God's  effluence  direct  and  representative, — 
If  Godhead  be, — 

And  all-sufficient  boot  for  mortal  ills, 
Potent  alike  to  obviate  and  annul. 

ROW. 

Too  deep  for  me  thy  thoughts,  but  this  I  know: 
Who  wins  the  puissant  ear  best  pleads  his  suit, 
As  fountains  gush  when  niggard  rills  do  fail. 
O  good  King  Edgar! — would  he  heard  my  plaint- 
But  soon  he  shall. 

OLD  SAX. 
What! 

61 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

Bend'st  them  thy  cumbered  footsteps  towards  the 

court? 
ROW. 

Yea. 
OLD  SAX. 

Wherefore? 
ROW. 

To  seek  him  out, — my  wedded  lord,  Earl  Thelwy— 

Of   the    King's    thanes    the   noblest    and    most 
comely. 

'Twas  the  King's  mandate  tore  him  from  these 
arms, 

And  meet  it  is  the  monarch  make  amends. 
OLD  SAX. 

Where  lies  his  castle,  say,  and  broad  demesne? — 

What  is  his  lineage — what  his  father's  name? 

ROW. 

Why, — I — I  know  not  that.  [Embarrassed. 

OLD  SAX. 

Nay,  if  thou  wilt  not  thou  need'st  not  divulge 
it,— 

Though  too  secretive  pride  oft  loses  friends. 
ROW. 

Be  not  thus  wroth,  O  thou  that  shelterest  me! 

I  speak  the  truth. 
OLD  SAX. 

Then  truth's  once  more  incredible. — A  wife, 

And  not  know  that?  —  How  many  eyes  hast 
thou?— 

Or  ears,  or  hands,  or  feet? — Know'st  aught  of 
this?— 

Wives  know  as  well  the  other. 

62 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

ROW. 
Alas,  alas! 

Distrusting  naught  implicit  love  dies  mute:  — 
He  told  me  never  more — nor  durst  I  question — 
Than  this — his  name  was  Thelwy,  born  an  earl. 

OLD  SAX.  (striking  his  staff  on  the  ground) 
O  simple,  child-like,  fond  credulity! 
Why  dwell'st  in  woman's  shape? — 
Thou  speed'st  Hell's  arch-devices,  (a  pause) 
Go! — ask  the  world  how  many  maids  purblind, 
Daily  betrayed,  trust  all  to  lover's  vows — 
Ten  thousand  will  reply; — ten  thousand  thous 
and — 

Or  let  me  rather  say  a  countless  host — 
Suborned  by  death  lie  speechless: — 
Ay!  rot  self-slaughtered  in  accusing  graves — 
If  happily  the  outcast's  bones  find  burial — 
In  weed-grown  trench  unmarked  cast  by  rude 

hands — 

Rocked  to  oblivion  'neath  the  whelming  wave, 
Or  by  absolving  potion,  cord  or  dagger 
Rash  hurried  hence,  impotent  to  despair. 
Nor  be  forgot  the  cities'  cancerous  scum, 
That  by  disease  slow-eaten  loathsome  live, 
A    ruinous    scourge    wide    spreading, — and    the 

monument 
Unto  his  daily  vice, 
And  oldest  crime — man's  perfidy  to  woman. 

ROW.  (shrieks) 

Alas,  alas! — I  shudder  at  thy  words. 
Am  I  then  lost,  O  God? — Give  me  thy  poniard — 
Nay,  I'll  despatch  myself — Oh,  give  it,  give  it! 

63 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

Thou  point'dst  the  way,  old  man! — 'twas  thine 

own  counsel —  (struggling) 
Naught  dread  I  now — why  should  I? — Hope  is 

life, 
And  that  spells  Thelwy. 

OLD  SAX.  (restraining  her) 
Thou  ravest  distracted — fy  upon  this  tongue!  — 
Come,  come! — ply  patience — is  this  the  lesson? 
I  know  not  aught  concerns  the  noble  Thelwy, 
But  spake  on  mere  surmise  and  indignation. 
Thou  shalt  not  die! — beyond  grief's  narrow  hor 
izon 
Lies  good  grief  dreams  not  of. 

ROW.   (subsiding) 

Methought  thine  ominous  words  had  direst  im 
port: — 

His  death,  belike,  or — Holy  Mother-Virgin! 

Black  apprehensions  stun  me. 

Souls  in  despair  have  perished  through  one  word 

Falling  from  thoughtless  lips, 

When  speech  more  kind  had  saved  all. 

But  I'll  be  patient; — yes!  I'll  quell  these  tumults. 

[Sighs. 
OLD  SAX. 

I  prithee,  broach  anew  thy  earlier  griefs:  — 

Thy  parents  both  are  gone  and  kindred  near? 

ROW.  (plaintively) 
Dead,  dead! 

All  perished  in  a  massacre  of  Danes, 
Slain  in  the  solemn  watches  of  the  night, — 
Unshrived  their  souls,  unsepultured  their  bones. 
O  my  dilating  eye!  —  (rising)  it  sees  them  yet — 

64 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

The  mother  clasps  in  vain  her  bleating  babes, — 
Torn  from  her  gory  breast,  she  shrieks  and  dies! 
The  father,  mindful  of  his  youthful  fame — 
A  rover  once,  he  scourged  the  northern  main — 
Stands  i'  the  breach, 
Shouts  his   wild   cry  and   dreadful   wields   his 

brand! — 
But,  all  unequal,  soon  the  conflict  ends: — (sinks 

down) 
Two  orphans  only  live  of  tender  years. 

OLD  SAX. 

Misjudging  Death! — why  didst  thou  spare  those 
twain? 

ROW. 

Did  I  say  twain? — Alack,  for  thoughtless  lips!  — 
Ere  long  my  peevish  brother  disappeared, 
Kidnapped  or  kept  perdue  by  prudent  friends, 
Or  slain — I  know  not  which  nor  e'er  shall  know- 
Whilst  to  a  distant  convent's  shelt'ring  walls 
I  was  conveyed — there  nurtured  many  years — 
O  placid  years! — How  could  I  bless  those  walls 
Still  in  my  prayers,  but  that  'twas  there  I  met 

him! — 

By  stress  of  weather  blown  to  wreck  my  peace, — 
But  hush,  rude  lips! — 'tis  treason  to  upbraid. 

OLD  SAX. 

Oh,  fatal  accident  of  a  tempest's  fury! 
What  follows? 

ROW. 

What  boots  particulars? — suffice,  we  met: — 
And  when  occasion  offered  to  an  hamlet — 
An   obscure  hamlet — fled,   and  there  were  wed 
ded— 

65 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

At  least  one  clad  in  cassock  read  the  forms. 
Three  blissful  months  then  sped — 0  brief,  brief 

months! — 

When  Thelwy  met  a  courier  of  the  King, 
Armed  with  a  royal  message  and  command — 
So  he  alleged — which  summoned  him  to  court;  — 
I  saw  him  nevermore,  (she  springs  up)  Hark, 

hark! 

What  wild  uproar! — alack,  it  comes  this  way! 
OLD  SAX. 

A  hubbub  of  voices,  like  a  hue  and  cry, 
Hoarser  and  nearer — lo,  lo! 

Enter  OSBURGA  pursued  by  VILLAGERS. 
FIRST  VILL. 

Burn  her — burn,  burn,  burn! 
SEC.  VILL. 

Down  with  her,  Lucifer's  hell-kite! 
THIRD  VILL. 
Head  her  off  there! — hah — I  have  thee,  witch! 

(howls') 

'Ow,  'ow,  'ow! — she's  scratched  my  eyes  out. 
[He  grabbing  OSBURGA,  she  attacks  him  with 

her  nails  and  escapes. 
ROW. 

What  hath  the  beldam  done? — 
Oh,  for  ten  minutes'  manhood! — Thy  weapons. 
(seizes   the  OLD   SAXON'S   staff  and  dagger 

and  confronts  the   mob all  pause  dum- 

founded.    The  OLD  SAXON  comes  to  ROW- 
ENA'S    side,    while    OSBURGA    enters    the 
hut) 
Goodman  bell-wether!   (menacing  the  leader) 

66 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

And  you,  and  you,  and  you!   (menacing  others) 

I'd  have  ye  hold! — kind  masters,  be  persuaded — 

Fall  back! 

Ye  number  half  a  score,  but  look  ye,  one 

Spits  on  this  dagger  move  the  van  an  inch,  (they 

fall  back — ROWENA  mocks  them) 
What,  brave  hearts! — diffident?   (the  mob  in 
creases) 

Come,  come! — who's  bold? — Elect  the  sacrifice, 
And  then  cry  havoc,  charging  o'er  this  body 
To  vent  on  one  more  frail  your  puissant  wrath — 
Old  like  your  mothers,  woman  like  your  wives — 
But  that's  all  mal-apropos!    (the  mob   still  in 
creasing) 

The  burden's  still,  if  ye  must  have  your  quarry 
You're  very  welcome; — but  in  time  remember 
ONE  of  ye  perishes! 
Dies  like  a  dog,  my  masters! — 
Scratched  by  the  Viking's  daughter. 

[The  form  of  ROWENA  swells  and  towers  with 
heroic  emotion, — the  mob  still  increases  but 
does  nothing. 
FIRST  VILL.   (aside) 

That  ONE  might  be  ME — who  knows? 
SEC.  VILL.  (aside) 

Humph! — suppose  that's  ME. 
THIRD  VILL.  (aside) 

I'm  unlucky — that  won't  be  ME! 
FOURTH  VILL. 

I  trow  she  means  it — softly  there! — push  another. 
FIFTH  VILL. 

She's  a  Dane's  wolf-cub — didst  hear? — How  her 
eyes  flash! 

67 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

THIRD  VILL.  (ashamed  and  trying  to  make  a  jest 

of  it) 

By  Saint  Paul's  marrow-bones! — if  there's  to  be 
more  scratching  in  this  business  I  wash  my 
hands  on't. 
[Some  laugh,  others  murmur. — They  seem  on 

the  point  of  dispersing. 
A  WOMAN. 

At  the  fell  witch! — Down  with  her  sorceries!  — 
Lest  old  wives  break  their  jests  upon  your  shins. 
Slay — slay — slay!  —  Death  mends  what  judges 

mar.  (no  response) 

No? — Mute  and  motionless? — Alas,  my  babes! 
What  will  protect  ye  from  the  witch's  spells? 
Vile  coward  scum  —  oh,  see  them !  —  fear-trans 
fixed 

O'er  a  girl's  skewer  and  a  gaffer's  staff!  — 
There's  for  that  strumpet! 

[Hurls  a  stone — the  moo  sways  and  seems  on 
the  point  of  charging,  when  a  horn  is  heard 
— an  instant   later  the  following,  mounted, 
dash  upon  the  scene: — Enter  ATHBLWOLD, 
ALFRED,  OFFA  and  retinue. 
ATHELW. 
Ha! — A   tumultuous   rabble! — ride   them   down, 

gentles! 

Baiting  a  woman,  too! — Up  Rossignol — 
Bravely,  bravely! 

[He   reins    his    horse   and   with    his    retinue 
charges  the  VILLAGERS,  who  scatter  in  all 
directions, — the  nobles  jeering  and  hooting. 
ALFRED  (as  they  are  about  to  spur  off) 
Hold,  Athelwold! 

68 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Shall  we  not  pause  and  inquire  into  this? 
ATHELW. 

No,   no! — press   on.     Zounds! — they    are   dis 
persed — 

Enough!    We  have  not  time  to  lose. 

[Exeunt — ATHELW.  turning  in  his  saddle  and 
regarding  ROWENA  curiously,  but  only  for 
a  moment.    OSBURGA  comes  out  of  the  hut. 
ROW. 

Tis  he!  [Faints. 

OLD  SAX. 

Who,  where,  which  one? — Ho,  horsemen,  ho! 

'Tis  vain  to  shout — they're  gone. — She  swoons — 

Oh,  that  eternal  contradiction — woman! 
OSB. 

Stand  back! — this  is  a  woman's  office. 
OLD  SAX. 

She  wakes. 
ROW. 

0  God!  [Works  convulsively. 

OLD  SAX. 

Speak!  — What  ails  thee  wretched  ? 
OSB. 

She  writhes  like  one  in  agony, 

Rolling  and  tumbling — stretching  helpless  hands 

To  us,  more  feckless. — Why,  indeed — humph!  — 
OLD  SAX. 

See  how  she  rolls  those  eyes  and  draws  short 
gasps, 

Like  one  sore  spent! — Ah! — now  she  resteth. 
OSB. 

How  is  it  with  thee?  (to  ROW.)  Raise  her  head 
gently. 

69 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOKITE.  Act  II, 

ROW. 

Dying! — Dying! — Convulsive  pangs 
Seize  on  my  entrails.    Merciful  Father! 
Thus — to  thus — now — now! —        [Swoons  again. 

OSB. 

Oh! — bear  her  lightly  to  yon  shelt'ring  roof, 
And  when  'tis  dusk  away  to  mine  own  cave, 
Where  I  will  nurse  her  back  to  perfect  health — 
Be  what  her  illness  may. 

[Exeunt  bearing  ROWBNA  into  the  hut. 


ACT  II,  SCENE  V— The  same. 

Enter  the  TWO  OFFICERS  very  leisurely. 
THE  LONG  ONE.  (wiping  his  lips) 

TOUCHING  THE  MOLE — 
THE  SHORT  ONE.  (ditto) 

Where  was  the  mole? 
THE  LONG  ONE. 
Where  was  it? — Oh,  rare!  — 

[Whispers — exeunt  the  two  convulsed. 

ACT  II,  SCENE  VI —Before  OSBURGA'S  cave— a 

wild  place,  with  the  sound  of  a  torrent  filling  the 

solitude.— Night. 

Enter  HAKO  and  RODA  meeting. 
RODA. 

What's  there? — Who  art  thou?  [Recoiling. 

HAKO. 

The  stranger's  challenge! — Thou  art  frightened? 

70 


Scene  VI.  .  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

RODA  (not  too  cordially) 
Hako! 

HAKO. 

Thy  Hako.  (embraces  her) 
Why  dost  tTiou  greet  me  thus? — Sped  twenty 

years, 

I'd  know  the  very  parings  of  thy  nails, 
And  every  single  eyelash  from  another's — 
By  the  dim  flicker  of  a  half-snuffed  rush. 
Yes! — rased  and  lost  to  time, 
In  the  thronged  avenues  of  Hell  thy  shade 
Should  not  out-post  remembrance:  — 
But  Roda — poor,  forgetful  maid! — must  ask 
"Who  art  thou"  of  her  lover. 

RODA  (coldly) 

Thou  art  more  strenuous  than  poetical. 
Whence  comest  thou,  lost  sheep? — Thou  are  pro 
scribed 

For  old  tricks,  mind, — why  then  in  Devonshire? 

[They  sit. 
HAKO.  (gayly) 
Why,  an  ill  wind  blew  me  hither,  (sings) 

A  chilling  blast  that  in  the  east 

Blew  from  a  castle  high, 
And  wrapped  in  winding-sheets  at  least 

Full  twenty  rogues,  perdy. 

They've  since  learnt  to  sleep  out  nights,  faith! 
As  I  may  here  in  Devonshire. — Wouldst  know 

more? — 
The   roving  bird   still   wings   where   summer 

breathes :  — 
Thou  art  my  summer,  therefore  am  I  here. 

71 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

There's  jewels  to  match  thine  eyes. 
[.Throws  presents  in  RODA'S  lap. 
RODA  (beginning  to  smile) 

Ah,  truant,  truant! — how  canst  tell  they're 
bright  yet? 

The  spiteful  moon  -sinks  in  the  gulf  of  night, 

And  through  the  murky   pall  what  eye  can 

pierce? 
HAKO  (playfully) 

Roda  begs  compliments  like  an  am'rous  quean, — 

Inviting  me  to  swear  the  moon's  eclipsed, 

That  Roda's  charms  illume  the  thickest  night, 

Or  some  such  fustian,  ancient  gallantry — 

But  I'll  not  flatter  save  by  light  o'  moon. — 

See! — she  breaks  forth  (rising) 

From  the  wide  ocean  of  blackness  all  around  her, 

Full-orbed  and  glorious! — So  the  hope  we  cling 
to 

Beams  beauteous  when  the  whole  world  fails  or 
damns  us. — 

Ah,  Christ!  [Beating  his  breast. 

RODA. 

What's  that  gleams  on  thy  finger? 
HAKO. 

Sweet,  a  ring. 
RODA  (examining  it) 

Oh,  magnificent! — Come,  give  it  me.  [Kisses  him. 
HAKO. 

No,  I'll  keep  the  trinket — 

Hast  not  enough,  insatiate? 
RODA. 

Ask'st  that  of  woman,  simpleton? — Enough! — 

72 


Scene  VI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

She  recks  all  naught  that's  balked  in  one  desire, 
Though  an  adoring  world  kneel  at  her  feet:  — 
Dame  Eve,  thou  know'st,  gave  Paradise  for  an 

apple 
Her  heart  was  set  on. — I'll  have  the  ring. 

HAKO. 
There's  a  dying  man's  curse  on  it. 

RODA. 

'Twill  hold  a  few  centuries: — 
Hell's  paltry  millions  all  are  fore-engaged 
To  other  curses; — ne'er  a  devil's  at  leisure 
To  carry  this  out.* 

HAKO. 

Girl,  that's  true  enough!  — 

Were  man's  fell  wishes  visited  on  his  kind 

The  air  were  full  of  devils: — plagues  and  famine, 

Engulfing  earthquakes,  volcans,  crashing  worlds 

Are  bagatelles  to  his  malevolence. 
RODA. 

What  art  thou  prating? — 

Teaze  me  no  longer. — Stand  ho! — deliver — 

I'll  seize  the  thing  I  covet.  [Attempting  it. 

HAKO. 

Now  by  thy  black  brows! — thou  shalt  not. 
RODA. 

Now  by  thy  red  beard! — I  shall. 

*It  is,  perhaps,  not  too  extravagant  to  make  Roda 
speak  as  if  she  regarded  devils  as  the  efficient  agents  of 
a  curse's  maleficence.  When  a  drama  is  cast  in  a  rude 
age  we  must,  if  possible,  become  temporarily  primitive 
in  order  to  properly  understand  it.  Put  thyself  in  his 
place, — the  law  of  laws  in  life, —  is  also  the  best  rule  in 
drama,  either  as  respects  the  writing  thereof  or  the  read 
ing. 

73 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

HAKO. 

Forbear — by  Heaven! — thou  shalt  not. 
RODA. 
Oh,  that's  another  pitch! — thou'rt  in  earnest. 

(desists) 

Fie  on  thee,  stingy! — now  I  see  thy  baseness:  — 
Unasked  thou  lavishest  gaws  of  little  worth, 
But  wisely  keep'st  what's  precious. — Take  all  thy 
dross! 

[She  throws   the  jewels  on  the  ground  and 
pouts. — Hake  regards  her  half  amused,  half 
angry. — A  nightingale  sings. 
HAKO. 

Sweet  interloper! — Oh,  ungracious  maid, 
List  to  its  plaintive  note! — My  bosom  swells 
Responsive  to  its  throbbing  ecstasy. 
RODA. 

'Tis  silent. 
HAKO. 

Oh! — what  checks  thee,  bird? — Sing  blithely, 
Unless  thy  love  be  rude  as  mine's  unkind — 
Turning  away  or  casting  looks  askance,  (the  bird 

sings) 

Hark! — again. 

O  soulless! — like  a  stone  inert  and  cold 
Thou  sitt'st  unmelting, — 
Though  oft  I've  heard  when  Philomela  sings 
Estranged  lovers  straight  are  reconciled, 
Or  else  they  love  not  true. 
RODA  (aside) 

This  is  e'en  the  boarding  stage — now  bravely!  — 
The  tear  prevails  where  love's  cajoleries  fail. 
(aloud) 

74 


Scene  VI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

But  Hako  loves  me  not!  [Weeps. 

HAKO  (with  deep  feeling) 
I  love  thee  not? — Now,  by  God's  eyes!  — 
Which  are  yon  stars — but  no! — I'll  swear  no 

oaths: — 

Compulsion  of  assent  is  not  belief, 
And  words  are  arrant  traitors  to  deep  thoughts,— 
The  noblest  when  expressed  seem  wan  and  sickly. 
Oh!  I  could  pour  out  my  soul  in  burning  vows, 
But  thou  wouldst  not  grow  fond. 

ROD  A  (archly) 
Gramercy,  Hako! 

The  spirit  of  true  love  breathes  in  little  acts 
Of  sweet  complaisance,  not  in  mock  heroics, 
Nor  fulsome  vows,  persuasive  oft  to  ruin. 

HAKO. 
Still  on  that  scent? — Selah. — Man  made  the 

world 

To  cast  in  woman's  lap, — kings  leave  it 
To  loll  there: — then  take  thou  the  ring  (giving 

it). 

'Twas  not  I  grudged  thee  such  a  simple  gift 
That  I  denied  thy  wish,  but  my  misgivings:  — 
Some  dark  presentiment  fills  my  soul  with  awe 
Whene'er  I  gaze  upon  this  jeweled  band; — 
And  I  would  die  condemned  to  triple  torment — 
Plunge  headlong  in  a  pit  of  hissing  adders — * 
Ere  thou  shouldst  come  to  grief  through  Hako's 

act, 

Or  draw  upon  thee  his  disastrous  fate. — 
Yet  have  thy  will. 


*The  fate  of  King  Lodbrog. 
75 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

[Here  love's  amenities. — RODA  gathers  up  her 
jewels. — Suddenly  she  screams  and  points  in 
terror — REDWALD  appears,  walking  about 
in  the  moonlight  at  a  little  distance.  At  the 
sound  of  RODA'S  voice  he  disappears. 
HAKO  (to  his  feet) 

What  mad  fright  is  this?— Thou  tremblest. 
RODA. 

Oh! — didst  not  see  it? 
HAKO. 

See  it? — See  what?  (aside)  Hath  she  caught  my 
rogues'  superstition  through  contagion  o'  these 
clothes?  (aloud  angrily)  Ha! — trifle  not  with 
me,  jade! — 'Tis  some  lover  of  thine  come  un 
timely  upon  the  scene — thou  tremblest  for  his 
safety. 
RODA. 

There,  there!  [REDWALD  re-appears. 

HAKO  (subdued) 

Now  truly  I  see  it — man  or  specter,  it  walks  visi 
bly  before  these  eyes.  Hist! — be  silent: — this 
shall  arbitrate  'twixt  spirit  and  matter. 

[Unslings  his  bow. 
RODA. 

See,  see!    He  throws  up  his  hands  beseechingly, 
and  now  drops  on  his  knees,  groveling  in  the 
turf.    Hold,  hold! 
HAKO. 
He  turns  his  face  hitherward  (drops  his  bow  in 

astonishment). 

Now,  by  thy  disordered  wits! — what  brings  thee 
to  this  spot? — Tis  the  mad  youth  that  escaped 
us.  [Exit  RED. 

76 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

RODA. 

He's  gone! 
HAKO. 

He'll  run  faster  then.  [Exit.    Manet  RODA. 


ACT  II,  SCENE  VII.— The  same. 

Enter  OSBURGA  and  the  OLD  SAXON  by  an 
other  way,  bearing  in  ROWENA. 

OSBURGA. 

Our  weary  journey  finds  its  welcome  end. 
Heigh-ho,  heigh-ho!  — 

How  many  troubles  one  day  may  bring  forth! 
Old  man,  thou  shalt  not  leave  us, — be  persuaded : 
Recruited  the  rabble  will  return, 
And  tumble  down  thy  hut  about  thy  ears;  — 
'Tis  no  safe  lodge. — Hah, — what  stands  yonder? 
Thou,  Roda? — Oh! — get  thee  in,  my  child, 
And  swiftly  spread,  with  careful  hands,  a  couch 
Of  softest  down  where  no  rude  breath  may  blow 
In  wanton  play  upon  these  ivory  temples — 
Building  a  fire  fed  with  odorous  woods, 
That  she  may  wake  i'  the  glow  and  cheerful 

light:— 

Poor  girl,  she's  chill  and  numb  with  the  night  air. 
Nay,  dost  thou  hear? — no  words, — obey,  obey! 

[Exit  RODA. 

OLD  SAX. 

Thank  G-od,  she's  past  her  sufferings! 
But  she  keeps  strangely  silent. 

[Bending  over  ROWENA,  she  groans. 

OSB. 
Her  groans  do  mock  thy  words. — In,  in! 

77 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  II, 

Oh! — what  can  men  know  of  a  woman's  suffer 
ings?    [Exeunt  with  ROWENA  into  the  cave. 
Enter  HAKO. 
HAKO. 

Gout  seize  his  toes! — He  hath  evaded  me,  but  no 
matter! — a  score  of  bold  lads  escaped  with  me 
from  Athelstan's  vengeance  shall  look  for  him. 
— What,  Roda,  Roda!  (calling)  Why  dost  not 
answer?  (calls  again)  Pooh! — she's  in  the  cave. 
— To  hide  from  a  young  man — what  a  strange 
thing  in  a  modern  maid! 
[He  enters  the  cave. — Act  and  scene  end. 


78 


ACT  in. 


ACT  III. 

ACT   III,   SCENE  I.— A  highway  leading  to   OL- 
GAR'S  castle.— Twilight. 

Enter  TWO  PEASANTS  with  shovels. 
FIRST  PEAS. 

Slack  bridle,  stray  colt. — Good  master  Ina's  son, 
that  is  set  over  the  serfs,  shows  not  his  wonted 
diligence  since  the  steward  went  hence  with 
his  lordship  to  tour  the  estates.  But  they  re 
turn  to-day. 

SEC.  PEAS,  (fanning  himself) 
The  worse  for  us! — Went  the  Lady  Elfrida  with 

them,  lug? 
FIRST  PEAS. 

That  did  she: — she  makes  holiday  o'  these  excur 
sions.     Oh! — for  a  pint — 

Enter  HAKO  and  OUTLAWS  armed. 
SEC.  PEAS. 
Mercy,  mercy! — Kind  masters,  what  would  ye? 

[Falls  on  his  knees. 
FIRST  PEAS,  (ditto) 
O   Lord! — These   be   masterless   men — take   my 

penny  and  welcome — (fumbling)  here  'tis. 
SEC.  PEAS. 
My  wages,  too.  (offering  it)  My  poor  children! 

[Bawls. 
HAKO. 

Stalwart  dog  that  cowerest   in   terror,   answer 
me! — Passed  a  cavalcade  of  nobles  o'er  this 
road  on  the  way  to  Ol gar's  castle? 
SEC.  PEAS. 
No,  please  your  worship! — Not  since  sunrise,  I'll 

81 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  HI, 

warrant  your  worship! — We  have  e'en  ploughed 
in  yon  field  since  the  first  peep,  may't  like  you. 
FIRST  PEAS. 

Ere  Job's  coffin  was  set,  great  sir,  truly. 
HAKO. 

Providentially  they  loiter, — if  these  lie  not  we 
are  in  time,  (truculently)  Oh! — that  the  mere 
ripping  open  of  their  hearts  enabled  me   to 
tell't, — how  gladly  would  I  do  it! 
AN  OUTLAW. 
Hark!  [A  trumpet  faintly  heard. 

HAKO. 

They  come,  vengeance, — they  come! — Ha — these 
— what  shall  be  done  with  them? — but  let  our 
betters  butcher  swine — Leof,  Rollo,  Harold! — 
hither.  Gag  and  bind  the  hinds  with  stout 
withes  to  some  tree.  Swiftly  on  your  lives! 
(the  PEAS,  are  bound)  Now  to  the  ambuscade: 
— and  mark  ye  all! — every  man  pick  his  target 
and  shoot  straight,  (aside)  This  shall  find  him 
— all  shall  perish  lest  HE  escape,  (aloud) 
Lads! — if  the  owl  hoot  then  only  stay  your 
hands; — if  thrice,  sling  bow,  draw  blade,  up 
and  at  them. 

[The  OUTLAWS  conceal  themselves. — A  horn 
heard  all  this  time  at  intervals,  approach 
ing, — several  now  blow  in  unison. — Then  en 
ter  OLGAR,  INA,  ELFRIDA,  ELFWINE,  and 
a  small  retinue,  to  the  sound  of  horns,  laugh 
ter  and  singing.  The  owl  hoots  as  they  ap 
pear,- — then  again,  thrice  in  succession: — at 
the  signal  the  OUTLAWS  rush  forth  and  sur- 

82 


Scene  I.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

round  OLGAR'S  party. — The  women  shriek, 
and  some  of  the  train  attempt  resistance, 
out  are  promptly  subdued. 
HAKO  (aside  Utterly) 
Tis  not  the  train  described. — 
Springed  ever  fowler's  net  the  culprit  bird? — 
Spread  for  the  daw  the  finch  walks  i'  the  mesh, 
But  vain  our  cunning  when  the  finch  we  seek — 
And  vice-versa,  (cries  aloud)  Here's  rich  booty, 

ho! 
Rifle  them,  rogues,  and  spare  not, — then  away. 

[Seats  himself  moodily  on  a  stone. 
OLGAR  (haughtily) 

Fellow! — thou  seem'st  the  captain  of  this  band — 
ELFRIDA  (interrupting  with  a  cry) 
Rude  robber,  nay! — thou  shalt  not,  villain — 
Help  ho! — my  jewels — 
[Struggling  with  an  OUTLAW  attempting  to 

despoil  her. 
OLGAR. 

Furies  and  hell! — A  slave's  polluting  touch 
Affront  my  daughter? —  [Starts  toward  her. 

HAKO  (blocking  him) 
Imperious  noble,  pause! — Thou  shalt  have  cause 

else 
To  curse  thy  rashness. — • 

[Detains  OLGAR. — At  this  juncture  another 
horn  winds  shrilly  at  a  little  distance. — The 
robbers,  startled,  drop  their  prey  for  a  mo 
ment, — whereupon  the  Earl,  nobles  and  at 
tendants  take  advantage  of  the  interruption 
and  attack  them, — the  ladies  in  the  party 

83 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOKITE.  Act  III, 

fleeing  to  the  woods  on  one  side  of  the  high 
way.  A  desperate  hand-to-hand  conflict  en 
sues: — HAKO  attacks  OLGAR,  but  old  INA, 
the  steward,  throws  himself  in  front  of  his 
master  and  is  mortally  wounded — he  falls 
unobserved  to  one  side.  Suddenly  loud 
shouting  and  clattering  of  hoofs  is  heard: — 
then  enter  ATHELWOLD,  ALFRED,  OFFA 
and  retinue,  dismounting  and  attacking  the 
.  OUTLAWS  from  all  sides. — The  priest  OFFA 
pitches  on  HAKO  and  tears  him  from  OL 
GAR,  who  is  hard  pressed. — The  OUTLAWS 
resist  valiantly  for  a  while,  but  being  out 
numbered,  soon  break  and  flee — HAKO  being 
the  last  to  go. 
OLGAR  (loftily) 

Noble  and  valorous  friends! — pursue  them  not. — 
The   law-contemning    rout    is    foiled   and   van 
quished, 

Thanks  to  your  succoring  arms,  and  'tis  enough: 
Who  needless  hazard  runs  dotes  on  his  heir, 
But  clogs  encomium's  mouth  with  dubious  mat 
ter,  (a  scream  comes  from  the  woods) 
My  God! — what  cry  was  that? — Hear,  hear! 

(other  cries) 
Oh! — 'tis   her   voice — my   child,   my   child,   my 

child!  — 

O  fatal,  fatal  sense  of  false  security! 
Help,  nobles,  help! 

New  danger  threatens,  instant  and  extreme. 
ATHELW. 
Ho! — A  sally,  a  sally! 

[Rushes  out,  followed  by  all  save  OFFA. 

84 


Scene  I.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

OFFA  (after  a  pause) 
Kind  meddler,  Chance! — how  brought'st  thou  this 

to  pass? 

The  Earl  himself! — as  yet  he  knows  me  not — 
But,  mass! — I  need-  not  fear — I've  saved  his 

life,— 
Ha,  ha! — With  proper  emphasis  I'll  press  that 

home, 

And  it  must  somewhat  boot  in  the  deep  tangle 
Which  Off  a  must  unravel,  (listening,  he  laughs 

aloud)  Bellow,  bellow! — 

Some  Roman*  arm  amain  drags  hence  his  daugh 
ter, 

And  loud  he  begs  that  late  opposed  pursuit. 
Marry! — a  plain  lesson  in  mut'bility: — 
Ere  words  half-uttered  break  the  laggard  lips 
Their  import  may  be  false  to  our  changed  pur 
pose — 

So  much  are  we  the  slaves  of  Circumstance, 
Impotent  to  forestall,  control  or  change — 
With  that,  like  shelving  sands,  each  hour  shift 
ing. 
What  lies  there? 

[INA  groans — OFFA  goes  over  to  him. 
INA  (faintly) 

Sweet  friend,  a  drop  of  water! 
OFFA  (peering  down  at  him) 
Off  a,  art  thou  awake? 

'Tis  Ina — the  steward  Ina — Ina  wounded — 
Ina!  —  Ina!  —  Ina!      (slowly   and  with   intense 
hatred) 


*Roman  arm — i.  e.,  an  arm  that  rapes — an  allusion  to 
the  Sabines. 

85 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

And  why  not  Ina  near  his  master's  person? 

List! — they  return,  (rearing  up)  No! — 'tis  a  dis 
tant  shout, 

And  travels  in  pursuit. — We'll  have  ample  leis 
ure 

Here  to  despatch  some  business,  steward  Ina! — 

Faith! — yes,  to  close  accounts,  (laughs  loudly) 
Hast  fainted?  (shakes  INA) 

Dear  comely  steward,  dost  thou  ken  these  fea 
tures?  (stoops) 

Feel  here — thy  murd'rous  hand  'twas  limned 
them  thus, 

While  thy  old  cheek's  smooth  as  the  silken  beard 

Which  covers  it. — But  soon,  sweet  Ina, 

The  worms  will  wanton  in't — full  soon,  sweet 
steward.  [He  draws  a  dagger. 

INA. 
Help!   Help! 

OFFA. 

Presently.  N 

Apprise  me  first,  how  fares  thy  youthful  spouse,- 
The  tender  sweetheart  of  thy  dotage,  she 
Whom  others  kiss  and  fondle? — Hist! 
I'll  tell  thee  something.  [Whispers  to  INA. 

INA. 

No,  no,  no,  no! — Thy  arts  were  vain — 
False,  baffled  villain,  I  believe  thee  not! 
Reeking  with  admonition,  oft  priests  at  heart 
Are  black  as  Lucifer.  —  Thou  com'st  to  murder 

me — (half-raising  himself) 
Thy  purpose  well  I  know: — I  prithee,  strike! 
Thus  I  defy  thee.  [Spits  in  OFFA'S  face. 

86 


Scene  I.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

OFFA  (not  heeding  it) 
That  was  on  a  Monday. — I'll  tell  thee  more. 

[Whispers  again. 
INA  (inarticulately) 

My — master? — 0  sweet  saint  in  Heaven!  — 
That  thou  wert  quick,  to  brand  this  devil's  lies. 
But  she  was  pure — O! — she  was  pure. — Thou  liest 
Once  more  I  bid  thee  strike. 
OFFA. 
Why,  she  did,  she  did! — Was't  not  I  confessed 

her? 

She  did  and  will  again: — 'tis  woman's  nature. 
INA. 
There  thou  art  foiled  at  least — she's  dead  and 

buried. 
What  sound  was  that? — They  come,  thank  God! 

— they  come — 
My  master? — No,  no,  no! — Help! — Help! 

[Sounds  from  a  distance. 
OFFA. 

True,  they  come! 

Take  thy  quietus  then  and  parley  elsewhere: — 
Though  fain  I'd  sit  and  watch  thee  slower  die. 

[Stabs  INA. 
INA  (shrieks) 

Is  there  a  God!  [Dies. 

OFFA  (contemplating  the  body) 
Thou  canst  look  into  that  matter  at  thy  leisure, 
Impious  wretch! — Th'  infidel's  death  comes  time 
ly— 

The  fact  is  plain — his  lordship  must  believe't — 
An  outlaw's  hand  hath  slain  him! — 

87 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

And  that  'twas  God's  own  judgement  he  should 

perish, 

Needs  not  much  eloquence  t'  impress  upon  him 
When  all  the  rest  escape. — But  they  approach. 

(sounds  nearer) 

Methinks  a  gash  or  two  came  not  amiss, 
To  rivet  credence  to  my  desp'rate  story. 
Let  me  play  well  my  part — so — (scratches  him 
self).  Man's  a  coin, 

With  heads  a  fool,  perdy,  and  tails  a  knave, 
And  howsoe'er  we  roll,  why,  marry,  look  you, 
We  needs  must  turn  up  one  of  these  twain  vis 
ages: — 

Run  what  career  one  will,  in  his  collisions 
With  other  men,  these  are  the  possibilities. 
I  like  not — heads! — What  the  devil's  yonder?  (in 
the  act  of  seating  himself  he  jumps  up  excit~ 
edly) 

Offa,  thou'rt  lost! — Flee,  flee! — Thou  art  undone! 
Two  figures,  grim  and  stark, 
Stand  motionless  as  rooted  to  the  ground, 
Their  eyes  in  horror  glued  upon  my  face — 
Oh! — they  have  seen  the  deed,  (he  runs  out  but 

immediately  re-enters) 

Hah — silent  still? — Could  I  but  muster  courage! - 
No  sound? — 'tis  strange — belike  they're  not  of 

earth! 
No  move?  (advancing) — Pah,  pah! — Gird  up  thy 

loins,  vile  coward, 
And  front  them  though  it  mean  annihilation! 

(going  over  to  the  figures,  he  laughs  hoarsely) 
Two  peasants,  bound  and  gagged — real  outlaws' 
handiwork — 

88 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

O  pallid  fear! — no  more. — But  they  know  all!  — 

All  quotha? 

The  problem's  simple, — presto! — the  solution. 

[Kills  the  PEASANTS, — then  as  OLGAR'S  par 
ty  is  about  to  re-enter  Tie  runs  hurriedly  over 
to  where  the  first  conflict  occurred,  and  falls 
prone. — The  curtain  descends,  but  almost 
immediately  rises  on  the  next  scene. 


ACT  III,  SCENE  II.— The  same. 

Enter  OLGAR,  ATHELWOLD,  ALFRED,  EL- 
FRIDA,  ELFWINE,  etc.  —  Excited  chatter 
marks  this  entry,  with  frequent  O's  and  other 
feminine  exclamations:  —  ELFRIDA  and 
ELFWINE  relating  the  episode. 

OLGAR. 

Ingratitude  is  monstrous  in  a  man, 
But  doubly  hateful  in  the  gentle  sex, 
In  whose  quick-thrilling  and  responsive  bosom 
Nature  hath  planted  subt'ler  sensibilities:  — 
Those  truly  human  qualities  which  vibrate 
Like  an  old  viol,  sweetly  through  life's  discords; 
And  she  is  false  to  all  we  love  AS  woman 
Who  'gainst  their  influence  steels  her  renegade 

breast. 
(to  ELFR.)     Hast  thou  no  words  to  thank  thy 

brave  deliverer? — 
Thou  pratest  much  but  seem'st  in  this  remiss. 

ATHELW. 
My  lord,  my  lord! 

89 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

ELF.  (embarrassed) 

Sweet  Heaven, 

Rain  down  thy  choicest  benisons  on  him!  — 

On  him — on  all  who  dare  heroic  deeds. 
OLGAR. 

How  thou  dost  stint  thy  words! — Tut,  tut, — a 
penny 

Tossed  to  the  cringing  cripple  at  his  gate 

Would  earn  him  this — and  more,  and  more,  and 

more. 
ATHELW. 

Oh! — chide  her  not,  since  what  the  full  heart 
feels 

The  eye  betrays — and  youth  is  apt  to  read. 
ELFWINE  (aside) 

Whoa,  whoa! — conceit,  I  prithee: — woman's  eyes 

Bear  texts  vain  men  mis-spell. 
ELF. 

What  can  I  say! — Too  noble  and  too  kind!  — 

Wear  this — thou'lt  honor  me. 

[Giving  ATHELW.  a  token. 
ATHELW. 

The  donor's  image,  dazzling  and  beautiful! 

Sweet  lady,  I  thank  thee.  [Kissing  the  gem. 

OLGAR  (abruptly) 

Where's  Ina? — God  grant  he  hath  not  perished! 
ATHELW. 

Where's  Off  a?  [To  his  train. 

OLGAR. 

What  Offa? — The  priest  Offa?— Know  ye  him? 
ATHELW. 

Ask'st  thou  that? — He  saved  your  lordship's  life. 

90 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

OLGAR. 

Zounds!— was  that  Offa? — No. 
ALFRED. 

Truly  it  was! — A  worthy  man  and  valiant — 

These  eyes  too  saw  the  deed. 
ELF. 

What  black  figure  rises  yonder? — Oh,  oh! 

[OFFA  comes  painfully  forward. 
OLGAR. 

Tis  he! — the  very  man — I  recognize  him: — 

When  the  fierce  bandit's  arm,  uplift  to  strike, 

Was  brushed  aside  this  figure  interposed. 

But  Offa!  — 

The  lewd  priest  banished  for  atrocities — 

How  reconcile  him  with  a  worthy  deed? 

How,  toe,  came  he  among  ye?  (turns  to  OFFA) 

Ungodly  priest,  didst  thou  indeed  this  service? 

Oh! — speak  and  lift  the  burden  of  my  soul — 

Come,  come! — deny  it — there's  a  douceur  for 
thee:   (offering  something) 

I  would  be  grateful  to  a  worthy  man. 
OFFA  (weeping) 

Oh,  still  deceit  imposeth  on  good  nature! 

Oh,  still  an  old  man's  lies  find  ready  credence! 

[Mutters  prayers  in  bad  Latin. 
OLGAR  (roughly) 

Come  thy  ways,  sir  priest! — thy  ways. 
ATHELW. 

Oh! — hear  him  patiently. 
OFFA  (half  aloud,  as  if  to  himself) 

No,  no,  no! — Sweet  conscience,  urge  me  not! 

O  Jesu,  spare  me  this  most  bitter  trial! 

91 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

Oh! — strike  me  dumb,  or  let  me  die  this  instant, 
That  I  may  ne'er  reveal  his  wickedness,  (louder) 
O  base,  base,  basest  of  men! 

[.More  prayers  in  bad  Latin. 

OLGAR. 

Hypocrite,  what  hast  thou  to  reveal? 
Whom  canst  thou  term  base? 

OFF  A. 
Your  lordship  then  suspects  naught? — Tell  me 

that- 
Ambushed  so  near  thy  castle — none  suspected? 
No! 
'Twas   but   an    accident,    this    ambuscade — not 

plotted 

By  a  fell  traitor  in  your  lordship's  service — 
Purblind  benevolence,  how  art  thou  deceived! 
None  knew  your  lordship  brought  rich  treasure 

home?  (aside) 
His  color  changes — hah — most  happy  guess! 

OLGAR  (aside) 

What  bodes  this? — Ina  knew't,  of  all  my  train, 
And  he  alone, — who  bear  the  chest,  deceived 
At  my  instruction,  deem  old  armor  in't.   (to  AT 
TENDANTS) 
Caitiffs! — where  lies  your  burden? 

TWO  ATTEND. 
Here,  your  lordship. 

OLGAR. 

Still  guard  it  well,  sith  thus  ye  guard  your  lives. 
Who  thy  informer,  priest? — Explain  the  mystery. 
Ho! — where's  the  steward? — Ina,  stand  forth! 

92 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

AN  ATTEND,  (from  a  distance) 

My  Lord,  my  Lord! — He  lies  here  foully  mur 
dered. 
ELF  WINE. 

Horror,  horror! 

ELF. 
Most  bloody,  ruthless  deed! 

OLGAR  (staggered) 
Ina  lies  dead? — Mine  ancient  steward  dead? 

OFFA  (quickly) 
But  Olgar  lives — Almighty  God,  thou  reign'st! 

(to  ATTEND.) 
Dotard! — thou  found'st  one  corse — where  are 

thine  eyes? 
What's  by  yon  gnarled  oak?  [Pointing. 

ATTEND,  (running  thither) 
Two     peasants    bound  —  alack! — two     corpses 

rather — 
See,  see,  my  lord! — Though  bolt  upright,  both 

dead: — 
Walder  and  Scagg,  methinks — (examining  them) 

ay,  ay— 
I  knew  them  well.  [Cuts  the  bodies  loose. 

OFFA  (chanting) 

Power  Supreme,  that  launched  the  universe, 
And  pois'st  it  in  thy  palm — 
How  wondrous  are  thy  ways, 
Mysterious,  awful  and  profound! — 
As  these  extinct  attest 

Who,  plotting  treason  to  despoil  their  master, 
Condignly  perished  through  their  own  designs:  — 

93 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  HI, 

All  in  the  midst  of  their  dark  plottings  over 
thrown, 

As  6y  a  thunder-clap; — and  now  exposed — 
A  spectacle,  though  mean,  of  wrath  divine — 
Their  destined  victim  views  unscathed  and 

sound — 

Unscathed  and  sound  since  by  Omnipotence 
guarded!  \_All  this  on  his  knees. 

OLGAR. 
What  means  this  ecstasy? — Thou  movest  me 

strangely. 
How  came  these  by  their  death? 

OFFA  (approaching  OLGAR) 
Oh! — canst  thou  be  so  blind,  too  generous  Earl, 
As  not  to  fathom  this  same  ambuscade? 
'Twas  Ina  plotted  all, — and  his  accomplices — 
Poor  hinds  that  led  the  outlaws  to  the  spot — 
Conveniently  detained,  their  service  done — 
Thou  seest: — by  Ina  slain  to  balk  discovery 
When  all  miscarried  and  the  robbers  fled. 
How  swift  thereon,  like  echo  to  a  shout, 
Vengeance  recoiled  on  Ina! — Like  a  tiger 
New-caged,   which   dire  mischance   doth   set   at 

large, 

The  raging  chief  returned, — 
His  bloody  choler  fanned  to  frenzy's  pitch 
When  Ina  bandied  charge  with  counter-charge. 
Soon  mutual  curses  brought  the  blade  in  play, 
With  what  result  ye  see: — this  witnessed  I, 
And  overheard — the  rest  broached  Ina's  lips — 
Gasping  repentance  as  his  life-blood  ebbed 
He  told  me  all,  then  died  unshrived  and  lost; 

94 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

For  he,  alas! — was  excommunicate 

By  Dunstan's  mandate.     [Produces  a  placard. 
OLGAR. 

Priest,  is  this  true? — Before  thy  God,  is't  true? 
OFFA. 

So  help  me — Christ — it  is.  (twists  in  pain)  Oh, 
for  a  vul'nary 

To  ease  these  wounds! — I'  faith,  the  savage  varlet 

Aimed  at  thy  heart,  my  lord,  a  trenchant  blade! 

'Twas  he,  the  very  miscreant  whom  these  arms, 

In  broils  ill-versed,  plucked  from  your  lordship's 
throat 

In  the  first  brush,  that  later  slew  the  steward. — 

Ah,  gracious  daughter,  bless  thee! 

[ELF.  binds  up  his  wounds. 
A  NOBLE  (rudely) 

Fables    charm    youth    and    specious    tales    gull 
women: — 

When  what  thou  tell'st  transpired  where,  priest, 

wast  thou? 
OFFA. 

Sooth,  by  good  hap 

Faint  on  the  ground  from  loss  of  blood,  in  pain 

Helpless  I  lay  and  still. 
THE  NOBLE  (scornfully) 

Sooth,  by  good  hap! 
OLGAR  (reprovingly) 

Oft  is  suspicion  cast  on  worthiest  deeds 

By  fools  and  knaves,  in  flippant  slur  and  sneer, — 

But  disingenuous  doubts  fly  generous  minds. 

'Tis  by  our  conscience  that  we  judge  our  kind, 

And  what  the  knave  knows  of  his  peccant  past 

95 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

Breeds  in  his  heart  the  fear  of  fraud  and  guile, 
Haunts  his  low  thoughts  and  mars  his  views  of 

men: 

And  safely  ye  may  deem  this  axiomatic — 
Thrice-false  himself  is  he  who  all  mistrusts. 

(turns  to  OFFA) 

Priest,  I  believe  thee, — Olgar's  eyes  are  opened — 
Thy  Master's  hand  writes  visibly  and  plain, — 

(crossing  himself) 

Yea! — He  hath  stooped  to  vindicate  his  servant, 
Accused  unjustly  of  an  heinous  deed: — 
She  died  that  then  accused  thee,  and  now  this!  — 
Can  cavilling  doubt  ask  more  convincing  proof? 
Oh! — take  these  jewels,  noble,  wronged  man, 
And  say  a  mass  for  Olgar's  criminal  folly,  (giv 
ing  presents') 
Soon  rich  rewards  shall  follow: — ha,  thanes,  hear 

me!  (raising  his  hand) 

South  from  yon  elm  that  tops  the  somber  wood, 
A  thousand  acres  stretch  of  copse  and  plain — 
All  these  I  dedicate  and  devote  to  God, 
As  a  memorial  of  a  grateful  heart;  — 
A  stately  abbey  soon  shall  grace  the  scene, 
And  thou,  good  Offa,  shalt  be  abbot  certes, 
If  influence  can  aught  procure  for  merit, 
And  meanwhile  Olgar's  castle  is  thy  home. 
No  words!   (turns  away)  To  horse,  my  lords,  to 

horse! 

Day  wanes  apace. 

Lord  Athelwold,  thou'lt  learn  to  know  us  better 
In    mine    own    house — thou    and    thy    knightly 

train— 
And  shalt  relate  at  length,  when  leisure  offers, 

96 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

How  thou  didst  chance  to  come  so  opportunely. 

What  say'st,  Elfrida — is  he  welcome  there? 
ELF. 

Oh! — if  his  stay's  proportioned  to  his  welcome, 

His  days  are  like  to  end  there. 
ATHELW. 

Sweet  doom! — sweet  end! Yet,  lady,  I'd  not 

die  there, 

For,  went  thy  guest  to  Heaven, 

He'd  scarcely  feel  the  joy  of  the  transition! 
AN  ATTEND,  (as  the  'party  breaks  up) 

What's  to  be  done  with  yon  carrion,  good  my 
lord?  [Indicating  the  bodies. 

OLGAR  (vehemently) 

Cast  them  on  a  dung-hill! 

Or  in  some  ditch  where  stagnant  waters  mingle- 
There  let  them  rot — perfidious,  justly  slain! 
ATHELW.  (aside  to  OFFA.) 

Art  satisfied? — Say,  is  my  mission  done? 
OFFA  (aside) 

God  bless  thee!  — 

Youth,  it  is — keep  thine  own  counsel,  sweet  lord! 

I'll  tell  all  in  a  cartel  writ  to  Dunstan. 

[Exeunt  omnes — horns  bloiving,  nobles  calling 
for  their  steeds,  etc. 


ACT  III,  SCENE  III. — An  open  tower  on  the  battle 
ments  of  OLGAR'S  castle. — Midnight. — Music  and 
sounds  of  revelry  from  the  banquet-hall. — A  sen 
try  making  his  rounds  appears  and  disappears. 
Enter  ATHELWOLD  from  below. 

97 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

ATHELW. 

Here  let  me  breathe — the  revel's  at  its  height — 
Blow  on  these  temples,  winds!    (disheveling  his 

locks) — hah — how  the  music  swells! 
And  she — zounds! — fool,  what  dost  thou  here? — 

Back,  back! 

Return  apace  and  mar  some  coxcomb's  bliss, 
Who   throbs    and   tingles    'neath   her    favoring 

glance — (turns  abruptly  but  pauses) 
But  no,  no,  no! — Thou'rt  half  distracted  now — 
Unhappy  Athelwold,  what  wouldst  thou  there? 
O  King,  King,  King! — O  fatuous  King  and  blind! 
What  evil  genius  bade  thee  send  me  hither, 
When  any  monk,  soul-mummied,  sere  and  cold, 
Had  served  the  turn?  (throws  himself  at  length) 

Sweet  lenitive  midnight  winds, 
From  your  cool  caves  waft  Athelwold  repose, — 
Flung  on  this  flag  supine,  perchance  I'll  sleep, 
And  so  forget — the  morrow  soon  will  dawn, 
And  then — ah! — then  I'll  fly  the  cursed  place, 
And  tell  my  Prince  how  wondrous,  WONDBOUS  fair 

—  (starts  up) 
Oh! — should  that  huntsman  dine  who  sends  the 

hound 

An-hungered  forth  to  fetch  the  leveret  home? 
He  hath  done  this — my  soul's  aflame  with  love, 
And  I  have  never  loved  that  deemed  all  lovely:  — 
Near-glaring     rush-lights     quench     the     distant 

stars — 

So  present  counterfeits  dim  illustrious  worth, 
So  vile  fruition  mars  the  soul's  ideals,   (breaks 

into  an  apostrophe) 
O  ye  ages!    O  entombed  time  past  record! 

98 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

O  all  ye  climes  where  mortals  toil  and  weep! 

O  human  heart!    O  virgin,  dreaming 

With  the  first  kiss  still  dewy  on  thy  cheek!  — 

Can  any  solve  me  this — How  love  is  born? 

Love! — the  prime  impulse,  the  eternal  bond 

Which  welds  and  knits  the  brotherhood  of  man 

Into  an  harmonious  world, 

Unutterably  grand  though  various-working!  — 

Under   whose   influence   men   approach   high 

Heav'n, 

In  god-like  virtue  and  self-sacrifice, 
Yet  oft  out-vie  e'en  fiends  in  hellish  deeds — 
As  passion  or  the  pure  ideal  prevails! 
Ay  me!  —  (a  noise  below)  who  comes? — The 

damned  occasion —  [Turns  his  tack. 

Enter  OFF  A  from  below. 

OFFA. 

My  son,  say,  art  thou  ill?    All  marked  thy  exit, 
And  she,  the  queen,  the  beauteous — • 

ATHELW.  (turning  on  Mm  savagely) 
Omen  accursed!    A  palsy  still  thy  tongue! 

OFFA  (tranquilly) 
My  lord,  my  lord! 

ATHELW. 

Well,  what  of  her? — What  of  the  QUEEN  Elfrida? 
What  dost  thou  know? — O  subtle,  subtle  priest! 

OFFA  (aside) 

This  hath  some  meaning — Queen? — Hah — 
What  if  it  be? 

The  King's  a  gallant  monarch — who  more  fair? 
(aloud) 

99 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

My  lord,  I  will  retire — I  fear  thy  anger. 
Heaven  mend  thee!  [Going. 

ATHELW. 
Stay! 
What  said  she — what  does  she? — Looked  she 

after  me? 

Good  father,  answer! — Pardon  these  rude  lips: 
Beshrew  me,  but  I  meant  not  what  I  said. 

[Coming  to  OFF  A. 
OFFA  (coldly) 
Good  night,  my  lord!  [Descending. 

ATHELW.  (clutching  him) 
Peccavi,  father! — Go  not  from  me  thus — 
Oh,  I  have  need  of  ghostly  counsel,  father!  — 
My  thoughts  malign  urge  on  to  wicked  deeds. 

OFFA. 
Be  brief,  my  son:  what  hast  thou  to  confess? 

ATHELW. 
Lies,  lies!  [Beating  his  breast. 

OFFA. 
Peace! — thou  wast  born  of  woman.  [Going. 

ATHELW. 
Oh! — their  design  is  treason  to  my  King. 

OFFA  (stops) 
How  to  thy  King? — What  trust  hast  to  betray? 

ATHELW. 
Exceeding  trust — his  heart,  his  suit,  his  hopes! 

OFFA. 

Speak  not  in  riddles: — Edgar  acts  through  Dun- 
stan. 

100 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOEITE. 

ATHBLW. 

But  this  another  kind  of  envoy  fits: — 
Oh,  list! — in  brief,  he  means  to  wed  Elfrida. 

OFFA. 

Wed,  didst  thou  say — or  bed,  like  other  lemans? 
Cloisters  themselves  yield  spoil  for  his  amours. 

ATHELW. 

Wed  as  his  Queen! — Tis  therefore  I  am  here — 
The  other  matter  was  a  mere  pretext:  — 
She  fills  his  heart  whose  face  he  ne'er  beheld. 

OFFA  (energetically) 
No,  no! — 

I  tell  thee,  no! — As  well  stretch  forth  thy  palm, 
And  when  it  rains  bid  all  the  drops  fall  in't, 
As  bid  an  old  volupt'ary  love  one  woman:  — 
Wand'ring  desires  burn  on  unchastened  ever, 
And  sure  she's  mad  that  trusts  the  rake's  profes 
sions, — 

Reforming  —  yea! — when  impotent  days  draw 
nigh. 

ATHELW. 
Hah! 

OFFA. 

Say  not  she  fills  his  heart,  thou  simple  boy, 
But  say  he  lusts  anew  and  seeks  fruition, 
Like  any  dog. — Why  dost  thou  gnash  thy  teeth? 

ATHELW. 

Thy  words  like   daggers   trench   most  bitter 
thoughts. 

OFFA  (smiling) 

Ho! — is't  not  true, — thou  lovest  Elfrida,  son? 
Combustible  youth! — So  soon? 

101 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

ATHELW. 
Alas!  [He  turns  away. 

OFFA. 

What  man  courts  ruin  where  no  prize  doth 

tempt? 
ATHELW. 

Tempt! 
OFFA. 

Ill-starred  is  he  whose  rival  wears  a  crown. 

ATHELW.  (fiercely) 
He's  but  a  man! — Mischance  and  death  rule  all! 

OFFA. 

Bold  words!  Bold  heart! — God  help  thy  master's 
suit. 

ATHELW. 
Ay,  it  is  treason  thus  to  speak  my  mind. 

OFFA. 

But  none  are  privy  to  it — nor  thy  mission. 
ATHELW. 

Nay,  nay!    I  have  dissembled  well  and  lied. 
OFFA. 

Thou  art  absolved: — who  lies  not  when  in  love? 
ATHELW. 

Now,  out  on  thee! — What  canst  thou  know  of 

love? 
OFFA. 

Heigh-ho,  my  lord! — Who  hears  the  maid's  la 
ment? 
ATHELW. 

True,  true! — Desire  is  fruitful  in  misdeeds. 

102 


Scene  HI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

OFFA. 

Take  twenty  death-beds  and  confess  them  all, 

And  of  the  score  full  nineteen  sinned  for  love. 
ATHELW. 

Oh! — that  strikes  home — O  faithless  Athelwold! 

Ay  me,  ay  me! — Passion,  whither  dost  hale  me? 
OFFA. 

Softly,  softly! — What  mem'ries  prompt  these 

words? 
ATHELW. 

A  mortal  sin  rests  heavy  on  my  soul. 

OFFA  (laughing) 

Nay,  tell  me  no  more — no  more.  Eh,  boy,  eh,  boy! 

Thou  lovedst  some  girl  i'  the  wild  way — what 
then? 

Moths  that  flutter  round  the  flame  of  lech'ry 

Are  oft  consumed  thereby — 'tis  their  own  look 
out. 

Come,  come,  descend  and  I'll  give  ear  to  it — 

See,  we  are  not  alone — be  careful — so. 

Take  counsel  with  thy  friend  when  doubts  op 
press  thee: 

Two  heads  will  find  a  way  in  weightiest  troubles. 

[They  go  down. 
Enter  an  OLD  SENTRY. 
OLD  SENTRY  (sulkily) 

Ay,  get  ye  down,  wassailers,  get  ye  down!  Feast 
and  drink  your  bellyful,  and  a  bloody  tormina 
to  ye!  As  for  me,  tramp,  tramp  in  a  circle  over 
your  heads  the  livelong  night,  with  never  a 
drop  of  aqua  vitae! — But  scratch  a  blain,  raise 
a  botch,  Ludovic: — he  who  pothers  himself  un- 

10S 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

duly  over  petty  discomforts  shall  find  them 
grow  apace — so  be  content,  (sings) 

"Bury  him,  bury  him,  bury  him  deep ! 
From  Hell  one  mass  his  soul  will  keep." — 
The  holy  man  looked  stern — 
Quoth  the  widow  gay, 
"Naught,  naught  I'll  pay, — 
80  let  the  goodman  burn!" 

[.Exit  SENTRY,  humming. 


ACT  III,  SCENE  IV.— Before  a  dung-hill.— RED- 
WALD  stands  beside  it  with  a  bloody  knife  and 
INA'S  heart  in  his  hands. — The  steward's  body, 
bloated  and  disfigured,  lies  half  exposed. 

RED. 

Poor  Ina! — So  'tis,  so  'tis — the  sorcerer  stole  the 
ring  and  buried  it  in  a  heart — ha,  ha! — in 
his  heart,  but  Redwald  finds  it.  (holding  it  up 
with  insane  gestures  and  grimaces  of  exulta 
tion)  Sweet  Elfrida!  (turns  abruptly)  No,  old 
friar  o'  the  dung-hill! — thou  liest, — I  never 
murdered  thee.  Turn  on  thy  side  and  sweat 
out  thy  dropsy,  like  Heraclitus.*  Heraclitus, 
Heraclitus,  Heraclitus! — the  whole  world's 
mad,  Heraclitus.  [Exit. 


•Heraclltus  of  Ephesus  (535-476,  B.  C.),  the  weeping 
philosopher,  attacked  with  dropsy  in  his  old  age,  asked 
the  physicians  in  a  riddle  whether  or  not  they  could  pro 
duce  a  drought  after  wet  weather.  They  not  understand 
ing  him,  the  philosopher  in  disgust  shut  himself  up  in  a 
stable  for  ozen,  and  covered  himself  with  dung,  hoping 
that  the  heat  thereof  might  cause  the  water  to  evap 
orate.  It  is  needless  to  add  that  he  died. 

104 


Scene  V.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ACT  III,  SCENE  V.— The  bower  of  ELFRIDA.— 

ATHELWOLD   with   ELFRIDA  —  ELFWINB   a 

little  aloof  from  them. 
ELF.  (yawning) 

Heigh-ho!    Elf  wine,  some  music — 

Sing  me  a  love-song,  girl, — come. 

ATHELW. 
With  thy  leave,  sweet  lady — nay,  but  let  me. 

[Takes  an  instrument  and  sings. 

SONG. 

From  her  ee  bright  and  tender 

Flashed  a  glance  into  mine, 
And  the  orb's  ebon  splendor 

Hath  doomed  me  to  pine. 
So  suddenly  chanced  it 

I  knew  not  'twas  done, 
And  time  since  enhanced  it — 

Ache,  heart,  till  she's  won! 
Oh!  I  love  her,  I  love  her, 

This  maiden  divine, — 
And,  by  Jesu  above  her, 

Her  bans  shall  be  mine! 

ELF.  (coquettishly) 

Pretty,  pretty.  Where  learned  you  this  bold  song, 
My  lord? 

ATHELW.  (sighing) 

Thine  eyes  are  black,  lady. 
ELF. 

Indifferent  black,  my  lord — now,  Elfwine! 

[The  maid  plays  and  sings. 

105 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOKITE.  Act  HI, 

SONG. 

His  soft  phrases  won  her, 

And  now  she's  undone: 
Forsaken,  all  shun  her — 

She's  lost,  and  for  one 
Whose  false  vows  another 

Hears  breathed  in  her  ear — 
Oh,  why  did  her  mother 

Not  strangle  her  dear! 
Beware  then,  0  maiden! — 

Who  tempts  thee  destroys, 
And  oft  poison-laden 

Are  innocent  joys. 

[ELF.  joins  in  the  last  lines. 

ELF. 

Alack,  what  frowns,   my  lord! — The  song  dis 
pleases? 

ATHELW. 

No,  no!    Her  voice  is  shrill — too  high,  too  thin. 
Good  Heavens!    I  hate  a  thin  and  squeaky  treble! 
[With  unnecessary  vehemence,  turning  away. 

ELF.  (laughing) 
There  Elf  wine! 

ELFWINE  (with  a  toss) 
Oh,  madam!  — 
Pardon  me,  ah — why — humph — indeed!    (checks 

herself) 

I'll  go  feed  the  throstle,  with  your  leave: 
Poor  bird,  unpreened  it  languishes  without. 
(aside) 

106 


Scene  V.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOEITE. 

Ill  fortune  blight  thy  hopes,  thou  saucy  thane! 

ELF. 
Go,  girl.  [Exit  BLFWINB. 

ATHELW. 
It  must  be,  must,  must,  must!    Down  treason, 

down! 
He's  mad  who  knows  his  fate  yet  moves  contrary. 

(aloud  abruptly) 
Lady!     The  King —  [Stops  confusedly. 

ELF.  (demurely) 
Hunts  wolves,  my  lord? 

ATHELW. 
What  art  thou  saying? — When  last  I  saw  the 

King 
'Twas — 'twas — 

ELF. 
At  court,  my  lord? 

ATHELW.  (with  a  violent  effort) 

I  am  charged  to  tell  ye  that  the  King — 
The  King,  dost  understand? — the  King  himself!  — 

[Impressively. 

ELF.  (gayly) 

Gets  drunk,  my  lord? 

ATHELW.  (aside) 

She  will  not  understand!  Or  is't  pure  levity 
So  aptly  foils  my  speech? — Now,  on  my  soul! 
I'll  take  another  tack — priest,  speed  thy  counsel! 

(kneels) 
O  lady,  canst  thou  love? 

[Passionately  seizing  ELFRIDA'S  hands. 

107 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  III, 

ELF. 

My  lord,  thou  dost  presume.    Ho,  Elfwine,  Elf- 
wine!  [ATHELW.  rises  and  turns  away. 
Re-enter  ELFWINE. 
ELFWINE. 

Madam,  your  pleasure? 
ELF.  (agitated — plucking  a  flower) 
Why,  indeed,  Elfwine — I — did  call  thee — only — 

(brightening) 
Is  the  bird  fed? 

There  be  some  dainties  I  bespoke  for  him 
Of  the  page —  (hesitating — glancing  furtively  at 
ATHELW.)  Roger — thou  know'st  little  Roger? 
Go  fetch  them,  Elfwine. — Will  you  sit,  my  lord? 
[To  ATHELW.,  who  is  going — he  stops. 
ELFWINE  (serenely) 

Roger  is  dead  a  twelvemonth,  madam. 
ELF.  (with  a  start) 

Dead  didst  thou  say?— Indeed,  ah! — very  true — 
'Twas  with  these  hands  that  I  did  plant  the  vio 
lets 

Grow  on  his  grave — how  strange  I  could  forget! 
Pshaw! — mischievous  Hamnet  was  the   page  I 

meant, — 

Couldst  thou  not  guess  it? — But  run  away,  girl — 
Go,  find  the  thrush  some  chickweed. 

[Exit  ELFWINE. — An  outer  door  slams.    EL- 
FRIDA  takes  up  a  piece  of  embroidery  and 
fingers  it  nervously. 
ATHELW.  (half  audibly) 
How  beautiful,  how  beautiful,  how  beautiful! 
None  breathes  beneath  the  wide,  o'er-arching  blue 

108 


Scene  V.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

That's  fair  as  she. 

Oh,  there  are  flaws  in  inf'nite  wisdom,  God! 

Since  Thou  mad'st  women  beautiful,  men  weak — 

Or  did  the  devil  make  ye, 

Ye  sirens  of  the  world  type,  fair,  false,  fickle? 

ELF.  (looking  up) 
Did  you  speak,  my  lord? 

ATHELW. 

Oh,  that  I  durst! — A  heart  surcharged  had  ease 

then. 
ELF.  (rallying  him) 

Mine  ears,  what  trick  is  this! — Or  do  I  dream? 

Alas  for  idols! 

What,  this  a  man,  a  thane,  and  say  he  durst  not! 

What  not? 

Daring  is  half  the  deed,  Lord  Athelwold, 

Whate'er  the  game — and  all  the  credit,  certes! 

ATHELW. 

Nay,  is  it  so? — Then  heart,  up  with  a  vengeance! 
[Seizes  her  in  his  arms. 
ELFRIDA  (not  angrily) 

Oh,  fie,  my  lord! — fie,  fie! — come,  gently,  thane! 

This  is  bucolic  wooing — I  protest — 

Indeed,  indeed,  I  meant  not  to  embolden  thee! 

[Disengaging  herself, 
ATHELW. 

I  love  thee  from  my  soul,  superb  Elfrida! 

ELFRIDA  (demurely) 

Why,  that's  the  song — but  dost  thou  so,  in  sooth? 
'Twas  yesterday  three  nights  agone  we  met. 
(o  knock) 

109 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

Pshaw! — some  one  comes.  [Aside. 

Re-enter  BLFWINE. 
BLFWINE  (smiling  maliciously) 

Madam,  his  highness  craves  my  lordship's  pres 
ence 

In  the  court  below — to  come  without  delay. 
ELF. 

Attend,  my  lord. 
ATHELW. 

O  ill-timed  summons! — Pregnant  with  what  mis 
chief? 

But  I'll  hold  parley  with  thy  father,  lady, 

About  some  other  matters  in  the  interim 

Twixt  this  and  our  next  meeting. 
ELF.  (archly) 

Wilt  thou  so,  indeed? — 

My  father  is  impatient,  good  my  lord. 

ATHELW. 

But  thou!  [Exit  ATHELW. 

ELF.  (flinging  herself  at  length) 
I'm  weary,  Elf  wine!    Heigh-ho, — where's  my  mir 
ror? 

How  do  I  look  to-day? — Fetch  me  that  footstool! 
Twenty-one — two — three — pish !  — twenty-four — 

(counting) 

Why,  he's  the  twenty-fourth  declared  this  sum 
mer! 

How  think'st  thou,  Elf  wine,  shall  I  marry  him? 
There  is  a  boyish  beauty  in  his  face, — 
A  bashful  blush  suffused  his  new-razed  cheeks 
When  he  did  speak  of  love — and  heaved  such 
sighs! 

110 


Scene  VI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Mentioning  the  King's  name  oft  to  conjure  with, 
And  grant  assurance: — 'lack,  poor  simple  fellow! 
What  need  of  words? 

I  grasped  it  all  at  once, — trust  woman's  instinct 
To  guide  her  true  in  all  pertains  to  men!  — 
The  King  hath  chosen  me  to  be  his  bride — 
This  Athelwold's,  I  mean — that  would  he  tell  me, 
To  speed  his  suit — he  hath  a  place  at  court — 
But  how  he  stuttered  in  the  declaration! 
Half  choking  with  his  croupy  sentences 
When  he  would  tell  the  King  had  played  match 
maker. 

But,  faith! — I'm  half  inclined  to  take  the  favor 
ite- 
Only  he   can't  abide  thy  singing,  Elf  wine!    (a 

knock) 

Oh! — he  returns,  (jumping  up)  Why,  how  now, 
Hamnet? 
Enter  a  PAGE. 
PAGE  (excitedly) 

Lady  Elfrida,  there's  a  witch  below! 
Will  ye  not  see  the  witch? 
ELF. 

Where's  my  kerchief,  Elf  wine? — Gracious,  child, 
Don't  muss  my  hair! — Pull  out  that  ringlet — so. 
Oh,    if    thou'rt    fooling,    rascal!     (threatening 
PAGE)  Come,  Elfwine,  follow!  [Exeunt. 

ACT  III,  SCENE  VI— A  court  in  OLGAR'S  castle. 

Enter  TWO  SERVANTS,  meeting. 
FIRST  SERV. 
Who  knocks  without? 

Ill 


THE  FAITHLESS  PAVOBITE.  Act  III, 

SEC.  SERV. 

One  not  related  to  wisdom — a  woman.  [Exit. 
Enter  OSBURGA  in  altercation  with  another 

SERV. 

OSB.  (railing) 

Marry,  no — I  must  not  provoke  you!  You  were  a 
soldier  once,  quotha? — A  soldier,  forsooth!  — 
What  are  soldiers?  Idlers — vagabonds — drunk 
ards!  Zounds,  sirs!— when  they're  not  storming 
girls  all  they  do  is  to  lay  siege  to  rum-casks. 
But  you  are  a  man  and  a  soldier! — A  man? — 
faugh! — Two-legged  infection!  Bray  him  with 
a  pestle  In  a  mortar,  strain  him,  dry  him,  scat 
ter  his  ashes  on  the  four  winds  of  Heaven — 
and  wherever  the  least  part  of  man  falls  there 
shall  grow  up  nothing  but  sin,  sin,  sin!  But  I 
will  see  your  master,  mauger  your  soldiership 
— your  master  and  his  noble  guests,  sirrah, 
mind!  [Seats  herself. 

Re-enter  SEC.  SERV.  with  OLGAR. 
OLGAR. 
Where's  the  importunate  crone? — How  now, 

dame!    What  would  ye? 
OSB.  (courtesying) 

May't  please  your  highness,  I  would  see 
Your  noblest  guest 
OLGAR. 

Lord  Athelwold,  thou  mean'st? — Call  him,  fellow. 

[Exit  SERV. 
OSB.   (laughing) 

.Marry,  yes! — If  that  be  his  name,  why,  sooth! 
"Tis  him  I  geek. 

112 


Scene  VI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

OLGAR. 

How? — Know'st  thou  not  his  name,  yet  must  see 
him? 

OSB.  (evasively) 

Why,   is   not   his   name  Lord   Athelwold,  your 
grace? 

OLGAR. 

Thou  had'st  it  from  my  lips — lo,  he  comes! 
Enter  ATHELWOLD  and  several  others. 

OSB.  (loudly) 
Thelwy!    Thelwy!   Thelwy! 

ATHELW.  (angrily) 
Who  calls  me  Thelwy? 

OSB.  (aside) 
Thief!   (aloud) 
Cry  you  mercy,  good  my  Lord  Athelwold? 

[Courtesying. 

ATHELW.   (to  OLGAR) 

My  lord,  'twas  thou  bespok'st  attendance  here — 
Pray,  wherefore?  [OLGAR  points  to  OSB. 

OSB.  (curtsying  again) 

Oh,  deem  me  not  beneath  your  worship's  notice! 
Thy   words   imply 't;    but,   handsome,  high-born 

thane, 

All  things  that  breathe  are  equal  in  their  essence, 
Since  all  corrupt,  corrupting  or  corruptible; — 
And  those  distinctions  dear  to  human  hearts — 
Fame,  rank  and  fortune,  in  their  several  kinds,— 
Convulse  the  gods  with  laughter — 
As  'twould  us,  too,  an  some  fantastic  apes 
Bedecked  in  scarlet,  green  or  azure  coats, 

113 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

Strutting  about  in  pride  and  contumely, 
Urged  themselves  better  for  that  specious  reason 
Than  humbler  monkeys  clad  in  natural  brown. 
Therefore  hear  me! 

ATHELW. 

How  quick  the  low  to  brand  impatience  pride 
When  their  importunate  suits  annoy  their  bet 
ters! 

Upon  our  time,  God  knows,  they  have  no  claim, 
Yet  must  we  hear  each  Andrew,  nolens  volens, 
Bray  his  ill-timed,  long-winded  suit  or  plaint — 
Or  else  we're  contumelious,  (to  OSB.)  What's  the 
business? 

OSB. 
A  boon  unto  the  dying. 

ATHELW. 
What! — to  ten  thousand? 

DSB.  (passionately) 

Oh,  quibble  not!   Think  of  thine  own  death-bed! 
Be  not  obdurate — fear  avenging  fate. 
Oh,  if  thou  dost  refuse  may  devils  mock  thee 
In  thine  own  agony! — And  as  thine  eyes 
Slow  glaze  at  length,  urge  thy  descent  to  Hell 
With  bitter  curses  and  this  just  reproach:  — 
Thou  didst  refuse  compassion — be  refused! 
Unhelpful  to  the  dying — die  thou  hapless! 

ATHELW. 

Thou  tragic  quean,  what  am  I  to  do? 
OSB. 

Come  with  me  to  my  cave. 

[A  SERV.  whispers  OLGAR,  he  ATHELW. 

114 


Scene  VI  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ATHELW. 
Why,  art  them  not  a  witch? 

OSB.  (laughing  disdainfully) 
Oh,  courteous  thane! 

I'm  not  age-burdened,  toothless,  bent  or  buckled— 
The  classic  ear-marks  of  the  dubious  character — 
As  thou  canst  see,  yet  have  the  name  of  witch — 
God  wot  how  won! 

And  have  been  beaten,  baited,  tried  with  ordeals 
For  crimes  I've  never  dreamt  of.  Hear  me,  thane, 
And  I'll  narrate  to  thee  a  late  adventure 
That  is  in  point — oh,  I'll  be  brief,  my  lord! — 
Turn  not  away  impatient.    In  a  village 
Near-by  it  chanced  that,  strolling  forth  at  dusk 
Companioned  by  my  daughter,  in  the  way 
A  puling  child  we  met;  and  I,  alack! 
Unwisely  sympathetic,  to  console  it 
Offered  it  sweet-meats — 

Where'pon  the  weanling  boy  in  wanton  terror 
O'er  this  old  face  and  melancholic  eye, 
Or  garb  bizarre,  or  other  trivial  thing, 
Ran  screaming  to  its  mother,  chatt'ring  wildly 
Of  bugabos,  hob-goblins  and  what  not, 
And  that  same  night — such  are  the  tricks  of  fate, 
Officious  still  to  plague  us — 
O'er-fed,  unpurged,  coddled  into  distemper, 
As  mothers  wont — event  how  common,  mark!  — 
The  child  expired  in  spasms. 
Enter  ELFRIDA,  ELFWINE,  PAGE  and  others. 

ATHELW. 

What's  all  this  to  the  purpose? — 
Lord  Olgar,  prithee,  bide  one  moment. 

[Turning  to  him. 
115 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

OSB. 

Sooth,  in  popular  clamor,  good  my  lord,  its  death 

Lies  at  the  "witch's"  door: — I  was  arraigned, 
troth, 

And  tried,  too — but  the  good  judge  had  discre 
tion!— 

I'm   somewhat  poorer  for't. — My  lord    attends 

still? 
ATHELW.  (impatiently) 

Yes,  yes! — but  finish.    Your  lordship,  pardon  me 
—  (to  OLGAR) 

Pray,  go  not  far:  faith,  I  have  themes  of  moment 

Demand  deep  conf'rence.    Wilt  thou  grant  it  me? 
OLGAR. 

Certes,  thane. 
OSB.  (clutches  ATHELW.) 

Against  thy  will  thou'st  heard  an  idle  tale — 

The  rest,  young  thane,  thou  know'st  too — thine 
eyes  witnessed  it — 

Look  not  astonished — have  I  ta'en  those  eyes 

From  the  fair  lady's  face?  I'll  prod  thy  mem'ry: 

The  murd'rous  mob,  all  cowed  and  held  at  bay 

By  one  now  dying — dost  thou  not  remember? 
ATHELW.  (cordially) 

Right  well  I  do.    Ah! — that  was  then  thy  daugh 
ter? 

Intrepid  girl! — And  thou  seek'st  alms  for  her? 

There's  for  thee,  too.   (thrusting  money  on  her) 
Good  friends,  be  generous! 

Now,  my  Lord  Olgar — an  hour  in  privacy. 

[Would  lead  him  away. 
OSB.  (spurning  the  gift) 

Oh,  not  so  fast!     Twas  not  thy  gold  I  sought, 

116 


Scene  VI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Nor  shalt  thou  thus  dismiss  me: 
She  asks  but  once  to  look  upon  thy  face — 
This — girl! — Thou  save'dst  her,  as  she  did  me. 
ATHELW.  (with  ill-grace) 

Well,  well! — If  that  my  lord  will  grant  permis 
sion, 

Ahide  thou  here,  and  in  an  hour's  time 
Mayhap  I'll  go  with  thee,  for  thy  persistence. 

OLGAR. 

Let  her  remain;  'tis  well.    Come,  thane! 

[Exeunt  OLGAR  and  ATHELWOLD. 
OSB.   (grimly) 

I  thank  ye,  nobility!  [Seats  herself. 

ELFWINE  (eagerly) 

Art  really  a  witch? 
PAGE  (eagerly) 

Where's  thy  besom? 
ELFWINE. 

Canst  raise  spirits? — No! 
ELFRIDA. 

Or  read  futures? 
PAGE. 

Do,  if  thou  durst — and  tell  which  lord  my  lady 
means  to  wed,  anyway!  There's  a  crown  for 
thee.  [Offering  money. 

ELF.  (boxing  Ms  ears) 

And  there's  a  mark  for  thee,  malapert! 

I'll  have  thee  whipped. 

[As  they  crowd  round  OSBURGA,  all  chatter 
ing  at  the  same  time,  the  scene  closes  on 
them. 

117 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

ACT  III,  SCENE  VII.  —  OSBURGA'S  cave. — 
ATHELWOLD  and  ROWENA  there,  he  lying  on 
the  ground  all  amort — she  standing  over  him 
with  a  child  in  her  arms. 

ATHELW. 

Away,  thou  evil  dream — away,  away! 

[Buries  his  face  in  his  hands. 
ROW. 

Pitiless  monster!     Perfidy  incarnate! 

This,  this — to  me!  [She  weeps. 

ATHELW. 

Didst  thou  not  lure  me  hither  with  a  lie? 
O  the  damned  witch!  How  cunningly  she  fabled! 

ROW. 

Unknown  to  me  her  Heav'n-inspired  design. 
But  dost  thou  talk  of  lies?    O  sweet  babe,  answer 

him! 

Look  on  this  face — and  darest  thou  talk  of  lies? 
Lo! — it  is  thine: — this  eye,  this  brow,  this  lip 
All  tell  of  lies  and  vows  thou  erstwhile  utteredst, 
What  time  thou  robb'dst  me  of  mine  innocence. 

(the  child  whines) 

Hush,  hush,  my  babe!    It  is  not  thee  I  chide — 
Born  like  a  rat  in  this  dank,  darksome  cave. 
Thy  father's  noble — but  who  knows  his  fate? 
Alas! — thou  hast  no  father,  tender  innocent:  — 
Black  looks,  reproaches  and  half-uttered  curses,-- 
Thy  mother's  welcome, — what  canst  thou  expect? 
Nor  is't  so  many  moons  since  last  we  parted, 
And  then  love's  tenderness  was  in  full  gush — 
O  Thelwy,  Thelwy! — is  then  all  forgotten? 

[Sinks  down  beside  him  in  a  paroxysm  of  grief. 

118 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ATHELW.  (involuntarily  fondling  her) 

Oh,  weep  not,  weep  not!   I  too  am  miserable — 

Storm  if  thou  wilt,  but,  prithee,  dry  thine  eyes. 
ROW. 

Forlorn,  the  wretch  abandoned  to  her  grief 

This  comfort  finds — but  men  must  chide  who 
wrong:  — 

Loth  to  behold  the  flow  of  chastening  tears, 

Yet  cheerful  authors  still  of  all  our  woe. 
ATHELW. 

How  cam'st  thou  here,  by  all  that's  strange  and 

wonderful? 
ROW. 

Thee  seeking,  by  untimely  misadventure. 
ATHELW. 

Thou  had'st  a  home — say,  why  didst  thou  forsake 

it? 
ROW. 

Thou  had'st  a  wife — say,  why  didst  thou  forsake 

her? 
ATHELW. 

Subjects  obey  when  monarchs  summon  them. 
ROW. 

But  husbands  too  sometimes  regard  their  vows! 
ATHELW. 

Couldst  thou  not  trust  me,  waiting  my  return? 
ROW. 

How  live? — On  roots  and  berries,  air  and  sun 
light? 

OtBer  provision  mad'st  thou  for  me  none. 
ATHELW. 

Oh! — youth's  e'er  negligent — charge  not  that  a 
crime. 

119 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

ROW. 

And  yet  'tis  murder  when  neglect  costs  life. 

ATHELW. 

Thou   liv'st — say   then,   whose  life   was  jeopar 
dized? 
ROW. 

Thy  child's  and  mine: — like  dogs  are  whelped, 
its  birth. 

ATHELW. 

Oh,  but  'tis  strange! — 'Tis  passing  strange,  all 

this! 
ROW. 

Strange  things  are  wont  to  chance  to   maids, 

once  married. 
ATHELW. 

Zounds!    There's  a  fardel  of  surprises  too 

In  store  for  men. 
ROW. 

All's  well  that  leaves  life!   Take  me  to  thy  castle. 
ATHELW.  (frenzied) 

'Tis  not  my  castle — 'tis  not  my  castle — 'tis  not 

my  castle! 
ROW. 

Oh! — wilt  thou  not  take  me  thither 

Where  Osburga  found  thee? 
ATHELW. 

I  cannot,  cannot!    Never,  never! 
ROW. 

O  Thelwy,  speak!    Am  I  wedded  to  thee  at  all? 
ATHELW. 

God  and  my  misery  witness  it! — thou  art. 

120 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ROW. 
But  wilt  thou  not  take  me  with  thee,  heart-mate? 

ATHELW. 

God! — no — anon,  anon — not  now,  not  now. 
Canst  not  understand? 

ROW. 

Thou  mean'st  never — thon  mean'st  never — 
Thou  mean'st  never! 

[.Swoons — ATHELWOLD  catching  the  child, 
puts  it  on  the  ground  and,  standing  over 
the  twain,  bitterly  soliloquizes:  — 

ATHELW. 

Now  am  I  in  the  hell  of  mine  own  making, 
And  bottomless  seems  th'  abyss  to  my  stunned 

soul. 

O  villain,  vers'tile  villain! — what  canst  thou  do? 
False  to  thy  King,  thy  mistress  and  thy  wife, 
False  to  thyself,  thy  conscience  and  thy  God!  — 
How  walk'st  erect,  nor  blush'st  before  the  sun? 
No  meaner  thing  than  thee  it  warms  that  crawls! 

(the  child  cries — he  takes  it  up) 
"Thy  father's  noble" — Oh,  cruel  mockery! 
There  hangs  no  blacker  felon  on  a  gibbet 
This  night  in  England. 

Oh! — she's  too  good,  too  tender,  and  too  true 
To  tell  the  tale — how  mild  her  just  reproaches! 

(he  kisses  the  child  and  lays  it  down) 
Go,  baffled  passion! — quench  thyself  in  rage, 
Or  peter  out  in  womanish  complaint — 
Thy  course  is  run,  thou  shalt  seduce  no  more. 
Brought  to  full  stop  in  evil,  high  career, 
Now  outraged  fate  doth  hale  me  to  accompt 

121 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

For  my  misdeeds,  long-standing  and  accumula 
ting, 

And  will  not  be  denied: — farewell,  Elfrida! 
She's  lost — the  dearest  object  of  desire!  — 
Accursed  priest! — but  stop — this  fault  was  ear 
lier,— 

Thou  canst  on  no  one  shift  responsibility. 
Why  did  I  leave  her? — By  my  soul,  I  know  not — 
But  love  will  pall  with  too  much  tenderness, 
And  stint  of  kiss  means  thrift  of  bliss  to  dames. 
Insensibly  my  absence  was  prolonged, 
Though  ever  planning,  promising  return, 
And  this  is  now  the  fruit. — What  will  I  do? 
Would  that  the  priest  were  here! — the  cloth's 

resourceful. 

Can  I  retrace  my  steps?    Two  hours  ago 
Lord  Olgar  promised  me  Blfrida's  hand — 
Hard,  selfish  heart! — hadst  thou  been  soft  and 

pitiful 

I  had  eschewed  that  pitfall: — now  my  sky 
Is  black  and  lowering  with  disgrace  and  ruin — 
That  sky  that  seemed  so  fair,  Elfrida  plighted — 
Stol'n  from  the  King, — but,  ah! — 'twas  greater 

peril. 
Oh,  I've  been  mad! — perchance  kind  angels  guard 

me. 

Retreat's  the  remedy — 'tis  in  my  power — 
Oh,  brave  confusion!      Say,   for  the  King  thou 

woo'dst — 

Few  words — oh! — very  few,  will  serve  the  pur 
pose, 

Agreeable,  methinks,  to  Olgar's  ears. 
This  done,  thou  canst  face  Edgar  without  fear — 

122 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Thy   Prince   will   scarce   begrudge   thee   a  few 

kisses, 

E'en  learn  he  all — nor  take  thy  heat  amiss, 
Since  thou  canst  swear  'twas  but  to  prove  her 

virtue. 

This  course  adopt  or,  if  thou  canst  not,  die! 
Rowena,  dear  Rowena,  thou  hast  conquered. 

(kneeling) 

God! — she  is  gone — no,  'tis  a  woman's  swoon — 
Her  heart  beats  feebly.    O  thou  pallid  form! 
I  saw  thee  last  all  flushed  with  blooming  life, 
And  now  how  changed! — Christ  knows  her  suf 
ferings. 

Enter  OSBURGA. 

OSB. 

What  hast  thou  done,  my  lord — what  hast  thou 
done?  [Hastening  to  the  prostrate  form. 

ATHELW.    (roughly) 

Peace,  crone! — She  lives — she  stirs  and  'gins  to 
wake. 

Oh,  I  must  hence! — There's  for  her  keep — (giv 
ing  money)  more  waits  thee — " 

Look  well  to  her! — thou  shalt  lose  naught  by  it. 

Full  soon  I'll  send  and  take  her  hence — per 
chance 

This  eve. — Hark  thou,  give  her  this  comfort. 

OSB.  (clinging  to  him) 
Wilt  thou  indeed,  my  lord — wilt  thou  indeed? 

ATHELW. 

Oh,  damn  thee! 

[Shakes  her  off  and  exit.    Scene  ends. 

123 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

ACT  III,  SCENE  VIII.— A  hall  in  OLGAR'S  castle. 

Enter  OFFA. 
OFFA. 

'Tis  thus  the  matter  stands: — he  weds  the  wench, 
But  Offa  holds  a  mortgage  on  her  dowry,  (pulls 

forth  a  paper) 
Castles  and  lands  all  pledged  and  pawned — as 

earnest 

What  money  he  could  raise  and  jeweled  trifles, 
He  hath  disgorged  already,  (pulls  out  jewels) 
All  this  for  aiding  his  unlawful  suit 
By  counsel,  hints,  advice  in  the  confessional, 
And  other  ways  in  which  the  priest's  adept. 
Oh,  my  advancement's  certain! 
Money's  the  pap  our  Holy  Church  waxed  fat  on,* 
And    robbing   priests    are   still    her   best    loved 

sons: — 

See,  Offa,  see  the  stepping-stone  to  power!    (pro 
ducing  money) 
Thou'rt  abbot  promised — zounds! — and  why  not 

bishop? 

Mass,  Dunstan's  shoes  look  not  too  big  for  me, 
Nor  e'en's  the  cardinal's  cap  beyond  my  dreams! 
Olgar's  estate's  immense — oh! — 'twill  not  fail  me 
Once  Olgar's  gone  and  Athelwold  supreme:  — 
The  secret  serves  for  all  the  future  years — 


*The  grants  to  Sylvester  I  by  Constantino  the  Great, — 
so  bitterly  inveighed  against  by  Dante  and  other  writers — 
were  chiefly  lands,  not  money,  it  is  true ;  but  it  is  hardly 
presuming  too   much    on   poetic    license  to   use   the   terms 
interchangeably.     These  grants  are  supposed  to  have  been 
the  foundation  of  the  material  prosperity  of  the  papacy. 
Ah,  Constantine,  of  how  much  ill  was  cause 
Not  thy  conversion,  but  those  rich  domains 
That  the  first  wealthy  pope  received  of  thee ! 

— Dante,   trans,   by  Milton.    (?) 

124 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

The  thane  becomes  my  bondsman  once  he's  wed 
ded, 

Nor  shall  he  cheaply  buy  enfranchisement! 
The  good  Lord  makes  some  tools  for  our  advan 
tage: 

Blind  rage,  revenge,  envy,  hatred  of  kinsfolk, 
But  chief,  uxorious  age  and  am'rous  youth — 
Madness  and  dotage — where  the  wit's  alien, 
The  understanding  blank.    O  classic  tablet! 
Whose  wax  intrigue  most  loves  to  write  its  will 

in, 

I  have  thee  to  my  liking: — Athelwold, 
Full  of  phlegm  and  innocence,  all  impulse 
And  sensibility! — that's  my  tablet's  name. 
He's  done  some  cheating  i'  the  game  with  girls, 
But  that's  his  farthest  reach  in  villainy: 
He  is  not  bad — no! — youth's  exuberant  folly 
Froths  in  his  heart  and  bubbles  at  his  lips, 
But  that's  his  sum  of  faults — to  play  the  fool, 
As  he  doth  now. — I'm  half  ashamed  of  him!  — 
Faith,  making  him  the  chief  tool  o'  my  life-work 
Honors  the  boy  too  much,— but  great  dogs  mouse! 
Ha,  ha! — He  must  essay  the  villain's  role 
While  all  unconsciously  the  villain's  dupe, 
And  madly  bent  upon  his  own  designs, 
He'll  but  encompass  mine.    Still,  the  game's  des 
perate! 

Cozening  the  King  may  work  somebody's  ruin:  — 
Hum — what  of  Off  a? — Both  wheels  are  in  the 

mire, 

And,  quotha,  this  will  stick  as  well  as  t'other! 
Why,  zounds,  it  may — still,  Offa's  role's  unknown, 

125 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

And  priesthood  cloaks  worse  deeds. — Once  the 

plot  fails 

The  novice  will  tell  all? — That's  a  safe  presump 
tion! 

Ay,  cowards  drag  destruction  on  themselves 
And  all  their  friends,  when  reck'ning's  day  ar 
rives, 

Blabbing  dark  plots  to  ears  bent  on  their  ruin, 
While  a  consistent  villain  damns  his  soul, 
And  oft  escapes  while  puzzled  Justice  falters. 
Menace  lies  there! — But  I'll  not  pother  further: 
There  be  twenty  shifts  will  lie  me  out  of  it 
Should  the  worst  come  to  the  worst — so  there's 
an  end  on't. 
Enter  ATHELWOLD. 
ATHELW. 

Ha, — Offa. 
OFF  A. 
And  how  is  my  dear  young  lord  this  evening? 

ATHELW. 

Why,  Offa,  well! — Plucked  back  from  Heav'n's 
threshold, 

And  headlong  plunged  to  hell — I'm  very  well! 

[Sinks  on  a  stool. 
OFFA  (staring) 

How,  what? — Thou  art  merry,  my  lord. 
ATHELW. 

Hah? 
OFFA. 

Thou'rt  merry. 
ATHELW. 

Why,  so  I  am,  good  Offa,  so  I  am, — 

126 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

I  had  forgot  that — ha,  ha,  ha! 

Right  merry,  like  the  wretch  in  middle  air 

Hung  at  a  rope's  end — when  he  dances,  Offa! 

OFFA  (clutching  ATHBLW.) 
Hah — it  goes  awry  then? — no! 

ATHELW. 
Awry? — No,   no!      All's   fair  and   straight   now, 

Offa, 
Though  much  awry  this  morn. 

OFFA  (aside) 

Curse  his  reserve!  (aloud)  And  why  such  empha 
sis 
On  "fair  and  straight  now,"  son? 

ATHBLW. 

Nay,  art  at  fault  for  once,  old  subtlety? 
Thou'rt  wont  to  read  men's  minds  with  some 

precision, — 

Pray  do  so  now.    I  go  to  Olgar  (rising) 
To  put  the  redeeming  touch  to  a  bad  business. 

OFFA  (embracing  him) 

O  sweet,  candid  youth,  why  act'st  so  strangely? 
Come,  put  thy  trust  in  me — come,  tell  me  all. 
Say,  what's  amiss? — Offa  will  remedy  it. 
Thou  art  not  well, — oh,  there's  a  wild  abstraction 
In  thy  wide-opened  eye: — thou  art  not  well — 
Go  sleep,  my  lord,  go  sleep, — do,  good  my  lord! 

ATHELW. 

Oh,  thy  advice  was  damnable,  most  damnable! 
I'll  heed  thee  nevermore. 

[Throws  his  cloak  from  him,  and  sinks  on  the 
stool  again. 

127 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  HI, 

OFF  A  (aside) 

Now  out  it  cornea!  (aloud)  Alas,  injurious  youth! 
Explain  thyself: — wherein  have  I  offended? 
Affectionate  and  sedulous  to  serve  thee, 
Perchance  I've  erred — but  say,  where  lies  the 

fault? 
ATHELW. 

Therein  that  thou  hast  brought  my  head  in  jeop 
ardy! 

OFFA  (with  exquisite  irony) 

If 

ATHELW. 
Thou  hast,  and  eke  thine  own — when  vengeance 

strikes 
Think'st  to  be  guiltless? — He  must  hang  with  the 

thief 

Who  counseled  the  theft,  good  Offa! 
OFFA  (aside) 

He's  mad  who  leagues  himself  with  weak  allies, 
For  good  or  ill — destruction  yawns  for  him! 
I  now  could  moralize  longer  on't.  (aloud  disdain 
fully) 

Get  thee  to  th'  apothecary, — take  physic, 
Do,  my  son: — may-apple  and  gamboge — 
ATHELW. 

Dost  thou  well  to  mock  me,  being  undone? 
OFFA. 

Go  to. — Wilt  still  jest  with  a  grave  face,  strip 
ling? 
ATHELW. 

Oh! — know  all,  then:    she  lives — the  marplot's 
near — 

128 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Now  scratch^  diplomacy! 

OFFA. 

Rowena? 

ATHELW. 
Rowena. 

OFFA. 

Diabolus! — How  know'st  thou  this? 
Speak,  cunctator! 

ATHELW. 

Nay,  wak'st  up? — We  have  the  witch  to  thank 
for't. 

OFFA. 

What,  she's  in  that  cave? — Accursed  heathen! 
So  near? 

ATHELW. 

There  she  abides  with  my  half-naked  babe, — 
Scarce  a  league  hence. 

OFFA. 

Babe,  babe? — Thou  told'st  me  naught  of  babes. 

ATHELW. 

It  blessed  th'  interim  since  I  saw  her  last. 

OFFA. 

"Blessed?" 

Oh,  little,  golden-haired  blossom  of  lech'ry!  — 
'Tis  bad,  oh,  bad!  Babes  are  potent  appeals 
For  sympathy,  once  such  matters  come  to  light. 

ATHELW. 

And  come  to  light  this  shall: — I'll  make  atone 
ment, 
Be  what  the  outcome  may — adieu  Elfrida! 

129 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

OFFA. 

So,  chivalry? — 'Umph! — thy  letter's  gone. 

[Drums  with  indifference. 
ATHELW. 

Furies! — not  that — my  fate's  not  sealed  yet? 

OFFA. 

Nay,  'tis  thy  happiness  is  confirmed,  son. 

ATHELW. 

Irremeable  step! — What  mad  haste  urged  it? 
OFFA. 

Thy  bidding,  son — out  on  bad  memories! 
ATHELW. 

O  fatal  lapse  of  thought! — How  long? 
OFFA. 

Full    six    hours    Alfred's    gone.      What! — thou 

knew'st  it. 
ATHELW. 

True,  true!     What  didst  thou  write? — A  copy! 
OFFA. 

Here's  one  verbatim,    (pulls   out   a  paper   and 
reads) 

0  admirable  King,  consummate  in  wisdom, 
prudence  and  foresight! — What  unhappiness 
hath  been  diverted  from  Edgar's  bed  through 
sending  me  hither! — She's  rich,  but  the  less 
said  about  her  beauty  the  less  disparagement. 
Alas,  that  your  Grace  should  be  so  deceived! — 
So  dark,  she's  a  very  blackamoor,  and  would 
lie  like  a  bucket  of  pitch,  or  a  shadow  at  high 
noon,  in  the  lily-white  sheets  of  the  royal 
bridal  couch. 

130 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

No! — let  her  wed  some  thane  of  low  degree, 
and  compensate  him  with  her  wealth  for  her 
ugliness,  out  never  disgrace  royalty. 

Thy  Grace's  sick  out  ever  faithful 

ATHELWOLD. 

[OFFA  reads  this  with  unction. 

ATHELW. 

That's  penned  e'en  with  the  arch-fiend's  bad  facil 
ity: 

Blacker  lies  ne'er  villain  writ  on  paper. 
OFFA. 

Well! — an  thy  babbling  train  keep  still,  what 
harm  in't? 

Her  beauty  now  hath  bloomed  some  seasons,  yet 

The  King  hath  never  seen  her,  nor  may  ever. 

What  dost   thou  think?— Out   with   it!     Nature 
breathes 

I'  the  heat  and  angry  motion  of  first  thoughts: 

Unwise  redaction  robs  them  of  their  glow, 

And  us  of  ardent  impulse. 
ATHELW. 

Mine  own  lips  must  tell  all: — honor  and  reason 

Alike  impel  to't. — O  cruel  ordeal! 
OFFA. 

Honor  and  reason? — ho,  ho,  ho! 
ATHELW. 

Why  laugh'st? 
OFFA. 

Ho,  ho,  ho!     Ha,  ha,  ha,  ha! 
ATHELW. 

Thy  laughter  choke  thee! 

131 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  HI, 

OFFA. 

Ha,  ha,  ha! 

Why  thou  squash,  thou  veg'tal  thing  sans  heart, 
sans  liver, 

How  can  I  help  but  laugh  thee  out  o'  count'- 
nance? 

He's  a  traitor  to  good  sense 

Who,  having  understanding,  doth  not  use  it 

Throughout  each  brief,  irrevocable  hour:  — 

What  canst  thou  do? 

Wilt  thou  shrink  back  now? — Dost  thou  tremble, 
boy, 

With  the  prize  won  arch-angels  might  contend 
for, 

Nor  deem  the  price  too  great  to  forfeit  Heav'n 

For  such  a  bride  as  thou  wilt  bed  to-morrow? 

Too  late  thy  scruples,  boy! — Humph! — hast  had 
signs 

Or  dreams,  belike,  to  daunt  thee? — A  courageous 
heart 

Or  bent  on  good  or  ill  is  its  own  oracle, 

And  asks  not  dream  or  portent  to  succeed. 

Out  on  thee! — Fy! — Thy  head  is  compromised, 

And  for  that  matter  mine,  with  nothing  gained 

As  yet: — hast  more  to  risk,  driving  the  business 

To  its  full  brunt? — A  girl  is  in  the  way? 

Then  must  she  out  of  it — faith,  that  right  speed 
ily! 

But  there  thou  err'dst,  to  marry  such :  ten  thous 
and 

Are  every  day  enjoyed  without  the  ceremony. 

Let  her  come  forward! — 'tis  with  this  we'll  front 
her — 

132 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

She  was  thy  plaything  once  but  never  wife; 
Let  her  prove  priest  and  candle  if  she  can! 
Else  may  we  foist  her  on  some  other  thane, 
Swearing  the  child's  not  thine: — and  by  the 

mass! 

When  questions  rise  about  a  birth,  believe  me, 
It  takes  a  Solomon  to  resolve  the  matter, — 
Wives  are  broad  furrows  strange  birds  oft  drop 

seeds  in, 

And  worthless  hedges  there,  as  wise  men  know! 
How  canst  thou  tell  the  child's  thine  own,  my 

lord? 
How  any  man  whilst  highways  lead  to  traveling? 

ATHELW. 
Hah! 

OFFA. 

Oh,  she's  no  foil  to  our  designs,  believe  me, 
If  thou  dost  not  give  way  to  womanishness! 
Resolute  men  stretch  to  the  full  endeavor, 
And  oft  surpass  their  hopes.— A  vaunt,  base  fears! 

ATHELW. 

Deep-tutored  thou  in  harsh  and  heartless  meas 
ures! 

But,  ah !  relax  thy  brows — her  case  is  desp'rate, — 
E'en  nature's  leagued  against  the  helpless  one : 
She's  ill  and  like  to  perish  in  the  cave. 

OFFA. 

'Umph! — true,  death's  a  serviceable  fellow. 
That  she  may! 

ATHELW. 

Oh! — she  must  thence,  and  that  without  delay: 
The  beldam  will  come  here,  fail  I  to  send  for  her. 

133 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

OFFA. 

That  strikes  a  timely  thought — didst  promise  it? 
ATHELW. 

To  the  old  hag,  ay,— and  meant  it  truly. 
OFFA. 

Oh,  excellent! — I'll  thither  in  thy  stead, 

And  soon  we'll  have  her  buried — um — in  a 
nunn'ry. 

Tush,  tush! — The  problem's  solved:  go,  sleep  in 
peace, 

And  on  the  morrow  wed  Elfrida. 

ATHELW. 

Still  sinks  my  heart  with  doubt  and  dark  fore 
bodings: — 

Come  thou  with  me — we'll  sift  the  matter  fur 
ther.  [Going. 

OFFA  (nudging  him  playfully) 

"Still  sinks  thy  heart  with  doubt  and  dark  fore 
bodings?" 

Perhaps,  my  lord  —  who  knows?  —  nay,  I  will 
say't! — 

Thy  manhood 

Shrinks  from  the  ordeal  of  the  first  embrace, 

Like  my  soft  damsel  wedded  in  her  teens, — 

First  waking  to  the  sense  of  sex  in  tears 

When  lights  go  out  and  bridegroom  courage  rises. 

Nil  desperando! 

I'll  serve  thee  a  decoction  of  repute 

Will  last  the  honey-moon — smil'st,  doughty  fel 
low? 

I'll  tell  thee  what  it  did  to  Lord  Smallaxltree — 
[Exeunt,  OFFA  talking. 

134 


Scene  IX.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ACT  III,  SCENE  IX.— A  chapel  in  OLGAR'S  cas 
tle. — Candles  burning  and  the  altar  dressed  for 
a  wedding. 
Enter  OFFA  and  a  PRIEST,  examining  a  casket. 

OFFA. 
Whence  had'st  it? 

PRIEST. 

He  dropped  it  without — the  poor,  mad  nobleman 
that  created  the  disturbance. 

OFFA. 
Give  it  me, — I'll  further  examine  it. 

PRIEST. 
And  I'll  go  put  on  canonicals.        [Exit  PRIEST. 

OFFA  (sniffing) 
Some    putrid   thing's    within    it — (opening    the 

casket)  hah! — a  heart,  (taking  it  out) 
Full  foul  and  rank — and  by  that  token  human. 
O  curious  cone!     Intricate  mechanism!  — 
But  soft! — I  dream: — here's  but  an  empty  shell, 
Scarce  a  man's  fist  in  bigness,  in  my  hand, 
Its  chambers,  once  quick-pulsing,  void  and  still — 
Presenting  naught  to  puzzle  understanding. 
And  art  thou  then  the  citadel  of  life, 
Frail  and  destructible  thing? — Creation's  plan 
Methinks  deserved  more  pains! 
A  child  can  read  the  mystery  of  the  heart, 
Plucked  from  the  bosom  and  anatomized:  — 
Holes,  pipes  and  caverns — why,  'tis  plain  enough 
The  heart's — a  pump. 

Maker! — explain  its  workings  in  the  living, — 
Till  thou  dost  so  wise  men  must  grope  in  ign'- 
rance. 

135 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  HI, 

A  thing  like  this  beat  once  in  Caesar's  bosom, 
A  thing  like  this  joyed  o'er  Poppaea's*  lusts, 
A  thing  like  this  moved  Antigone  to  pity, 
A  think  like  this  owned  too  old  Jezebel — 
Ambition,  lust,  self-sacrifice  and  murder! 
Are  ye  all  here,  tenants  of  emptiness? 

0  irreconcilable  heart! 

Where's  pride? — Where's  envy? — avarice? — civic 
hatreds? 

1  peer  in  vain, — thou'rt  mute  and  giv'st  no  sign 
That  these  things  be,  though  well  the  ravaged 

earth 

Avouch  them  real. — Here's  a  black,  ugly  clot, 
And  there — what  glitters  i'  the  gory  mesh, 
Seen  through  the  wide-rent  apex?     Zounds! — a 

ring,  (pulls  it  out) 
Nay,  most  excellent  madman!  — 
Thou  kept'st  a  nasty  pocket-book  for  thy  jewels, 
Yet  'twas  not  done  amiss.    Prate  nevermore 
That  nothing  good  comes  from  the  human  heart, 
That  breeding-place  of  treasons,  lusts  and  mur 
ders! — 
Here's  proof  to  the  contrary.    Mass! — Til  almost 

rate 

The  human  heart  higher  than  a  young  pig's, 
Which    peasants    stuff    or    stow    for    dinner. — 

Humph! 
That  puts  the  question,  how  can  I  tell  what  this 

is? 
Can  it  be  human? 


•Messalina  might  serve  better  here,  but  the  line  un 
fortunately  admits  only  a  name  of  three  syllables ; — this, 
perhaps,  is  as  good  a  reason  as  any  other  when  it  cornea 
to  a  choice  between  two  women. 

136 


Scene  IX.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

As  far  as  entrails  go,  cut  open  a  pig 

And  you  will  find  a  man,  or  wise  men  lie, 

And  vice-versa. 

Marry,  that's  a  rich  morsel  for  moralizers! 

Let  Plato  and  Diogenes  canvas  it:  —  (he  feigns 

two  voices) 
How  wondrous  God  hath  made  us!  — 

Likewise  pigs. 
With  what  precise,  omniscient  care  and  art!  — 

Likewise  pigs. 
How  just  the  wise  proportions!  — 

Likewise  pigs'. 
How  delicate  yet  strong  our  vital  organs!  — 

Likewise  pigs'. 

How  true,  how  swift  their  functions  and  harmo 
nious! — 

Likewise  pigs'. 
How  subtle  all  our  instincts  deep-engraven!  — 

Likewise  pigs'. 
How  masterful  our  little  lusts  and  appetites!  — 

Likewise  pigs'. 
How  meekly  we  obey  and  lie  down  under  them!  — 

Likewise  pigs. 
How  admirably  preserved  the  human  species!  — 

Likewise  pig's. 
With  what  gusto  men  do  their  duty  there! 

Likewise — sessa. 

And  so  on,  (in  prop,  pers.)  through  all  the  great 
processes  and  phases  of  nature, — procreation, 
bearing,  birth,  being,  dying,  putrefying,  and 
the  last  great  change,  the  worm-eaten  one,  and 
transmutation  into  the  original  elements. — 
Wherein,  throughout,  we  are  in  all  respects  a 

137 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  III, 

close  parallel  to,  and  no  better  than  swine. 
Nay,  I  defy  any  one  to  show  proof  in  clear  rea 
son  that  our  Maker  lavishes,  or  ever  lavished, 
more  care  on  us  than  on  the  groveling  species. 
La,  why  should  he? — Pish! 

[Fings  the  heart  in  a  corner  and  exit — with  the 
ring  and  casket. 

Re-enter  the  PRIEST  clad  in  full  canonicals, — 
he  takes  his  place  on  the  altar.  Choir-boys 
and  other  attendants  enter  and  take  theirs. — 
Suitable  music,  gradually  swelling. 

Enter  OLGAR,  the  COUNTESS,  ATHELWOLD, 
ELFRIDA,  pages  and  attendants.  They  pro 
ceed  to  the  altar,  and  the  PRIEST  marries 
ATHELWOLD  and  ELFRIDA  with  the  usual 
ceremonies,  somewhat  curtailed. — Then,  after 
benediction,  exeunt  omnes — OFFA  re-appear 
ing  on  the  altar  as  they  withdraw: — as  he 
does  so,  with  the  choir-boys'  chanting  in  the 
audience's  ears,  the  curtain  falls. 


138 


ACT    IV. 


ACT  IV. 

ACT  IV,  SCENE  I.— Before  OSBURGA'S  cave. 

Enter  RODA  and  HAKO. 
HAKO  (limping) 
Let  me  lean  on  thee,  girl.    Art  sure  it  was  the 

mad  youth? 

RODA. 
Do  eyes  see?    Oh! — the  rogue,  to  rob  me  of  that 

ring. 
HAKO. 
Poor,  moonstruck  noble!    He  left  thee  something 

in  recompense? 
RODA. 

Silver  (producing  it).  I  held  up  my  hands  in  ter 
ror  at  meeting  him — straightway  he,  his  eyes 
blazing  like  meteors,  savagely  seized  me  and 
tore  the  ring  from  my  fingers.     'Twas  in  the 
lane  two  nights  since — 
Enter  OSBURGA. 
HAKO. 

Ah,  dame! — How  fares  my  sister? 

OSB. 

She's  gone,  alack! 
HAKO. 

Gone!     Why  dost  thou  sigh? — Gone  whither? 
OSB. 

Oh,  that  I  could  answer  thee!    With  a  monk  sent 
by  Lord  Athelwold  she  went  joyfully  hence, 
despite  my  entreaties,  some  hours  ago. 
HAKO. 

Lord  Athelwold!     Who  is  Lord  Athelwold? 

141 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

OSB. 

Thy  honorable  brother-in-law,  forsooth!     Must  I 

catalogue  to  thee  thy  relations? 
HAKO. 
The  devil!    Thou  didst  discover  him  then  at  the 

castle? 
OSB. 
While  thou  lay'st  perdue.    But  where  wast  thou? 

Thou  look'st  sickly,  too. 
HAKO. 

Ask  these  wounds  and  let  them  answer  thy  re 
proaches. 
OSB. 
Well! — thou  art  forsworn: — thou  didst  not  kill 

him. 

HAKO  (sternly) 

Woman! — vengeance   deferred   strikes  with   re 
doubled  force. 
OSB. 

Nay,  renounce  thy  vow  and  be  friends  with  thy 
new-found  relation. — He  takes  thy  sister  home 
as  his  acknowledged  wife,  if  the  priest  lied  not. 
But  they  went  a-foot — alack,  she  must  be  half 
dead  ere  this! 
HAKO. 

Why  didst  thou  not  accompany  them  to  the  cas 
tle? 
OSB. 

He  would  none  of  me,  that  priest!  Still,  I  fol 
lowed  at  a  little  distance: — they  took  the  oppo 
site  way,  and  then,  alarmed,  I  hurried  back 
purposing  to  look  for  thee. 

142 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

HAKO. 
What  wouldst  thou  have  me  do?  Suspect'st  more 

deviltry? 

How  looks  the  monk? 
OSB. 

Black,  low-browed,  sunken-eyed,  drooped-looking 
and  thought-worn— with  a  flaming  cross  scarred 
in  either  cheek. 

HAKO. 

Peace  to  thy  fears! — An  hour  will  find  him. 
Were  he  as  fleet  as  a  deer  he  should  be  tracked 
to  cover: — my  followers  are  whole  though  I'm 
disabled.  We  will  at  least  know  whither  they 
take  her. 

[Blows  a  whistle: — several  OUTLAWS  in 
stantly  appear.  As  they  enter  the  scene 
closes. 


ACT  IV,  SCENE  II.— A  cell  in  a  monastery.— 
ROWENA  asleep  on  the  floor  with  her  child  in 
her  arms. 

ROW.  (dreaming) 

Rogue,    rogue,    begone!       See,    it    is    morning, 
Thelwy. 

[Murmuring  this,  slie  sits  up  and  stares  about 

her. 
Enter  OFFA. 

OFFA. 

The  foul  fiend  rules  thy  dreams  too.     Dost  sin 
even  being  asleep? 

143 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

ROW. 
Rude  monk,  where  bides  my  lord?    He'll  teach 

thee  manners. 
OFFA. 

Marry,  where  thou  canst  never  come — in  Heaven. 
ROW. 

Why,  thou  blasphemous  quibbler! — I  mean  my 
husband.  [He  laughs. 

OFFA. 

Him  mean  I,  too — the  fool  that  played  the  role. 
Hark!— the  bell—  [A  bell  tolls. 

ROW. 

Eternal  tears! — it  tolls  for  whom? — Not  Thelwy! 
O  gracious  Heaven! — Thelwy  is  not  dead? 
OFFA. 
He  died  yester-night: — poignant  remorse  for  his 

misdeeds  with  thee  killed  him. 
ROW. 

My  misdeeds, — mine?    O  cruel,  cruel,  cruel! 
OFFA. 

Thou  art  a  stiff-necked,  unrepentant  sinner!  He 
died  .broken  and  contrite  in  spirit: — wilt  thou 
not  down  on  thy  knees  and  pray  for  mercy, 
too? 

ROW.  (kneeling) 

Almighty  God,  have  mercy  on  me,  a  sinner!     I 
am  a  mortal  and  have  need  of  prayers  for 
every  hour  I  breathe: — in  ignorance,  blinded 
with  love,  what  have  I  done? 
OFFA. 

What  thou'lt  burn  for.  Didst  not  take  holy  vows 
and  break  them? 

144    . 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ROW. 

The  vows  of  the  novice,  ay — but  for  whom,  for 
what  broken!  [She  weeps. 

OFFA. 

Arraign  the  dead  fearlessly!  Charge  the  whole 
fault  to  him  silenced  forever: — can  tombstones 
answer  lies? 

ROW.  (clasping  his  knees) 
Monk! — monk!     By  thy  God  I  adjure  thee,  tell 

me  he  lives.     Then  what  thou  wilt  with  me. 
OFFA. 

Ay,  if  Pharaoh's  host  lives!  Art  pale? — Here's 
drink  to  revive  thee. 

[Offers  a  cup  of  wormwood. 
ROW. 

Thy  draught's  wormwood, — give  me  more  of  it! 
Oh,  there's  no  bitterness  now  left  in  life  for 
me!    Prithee,  Where's  his  body?    I'll  go  to  him 
dead  that  cast  me  off  living. 
OFFA. 

That  thou  shalt  not 
ROW. 

Not  take  the  farewell  look? 
OFFA. 

Pooh! 
ROW. 

In  his  own  castle  not  view  Thelwy's  corpse? 
OFFA. 

Thy  reason  totters: — deem'st  this  place  his  cas 
tle? 
ROW. 

True,  it  hath  a  more  familiar  look.  Whither 
hast  lured  me?  Is't  not  a  nunnery? 

145 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

OFFA. 

Ay, — thou  art  come  hither  for  penance.  The 
good  Abbess  hath  given  thee  o'er  to  me  for 
punishment. 

ROW. 

Thou  hast  dealt  treacherously  by  me, — oh,  most 
treacherously!  But,  nunnery  or  castle,  I'll 
view  Thelwy's  corse.  See,  I  am  calm. 

OFFA. 

Tut,  his  body's  not  here: — the  bell  tolled  but  a 
requiem  for  the  dead. 

ROW.  (frenzied) 

Juggling  monk,  thou  liest!  Away! — Unbar  the 
door — away,  away!  Wouldst  drive  me  mad? 

OFFA  (shrugging  Ms  shoulders) 
That  as  it  may  be, — thou  art  to  suffer  somewhat 
for  thy  apostacy.  Fool! — know'st  thou  not 
vengeance  hath  seized  thee?  Thou  wilt  never 
more  see  the  light  of  day: — thy  name  is  rased 
from  the  records  of  men.  Swallowed  up  in  ob 
livion  thou,  living,  shalt  be  lost  like  a  black 
plume  dropped  in  the  swift-flowing  river  at 
midnight.  None  shall  learn  thy  fate,  none 
pierce  the  living  tomb  wherein  thou  rott'st  im 
mured — none  view  thy  form  when  dead.  This 
comfort  only  hast  thou: — thy  days  will  not  be 
many.  Worn  out  with  endless  penances  thou 
hastenest  to  thy  end.  But  while  thou  liv'st  thy 
whole  commune  shall  be  with  remorse  and  bit 
terness.  Thus  may  the  holy  orders  ever  pun 
ish  their  renegades!  Amen! 

146 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Now  for  harsh  medicine: — thy  obstructing  body 
must  suffer  first,  and,  like  a  dog's  malignity, 
sinful  desires  be  driven  out  with  blows. 

[He  claps  his  hands. 
Enter  THREE  MONKS  with  scourges. 
FIRST  MONK  (droning) 
To  aid  in  the  salvation  of  the  back-slide^  the 

pious  Abbess  sends  us. 
ROW. 

Father  in  Heaven,  grant  me  speedy  death! 
OFFA  (aside) 
Amen!  (aloud)  Let  the  scorpions  bite  her! 

[ROWENA  is  stripped  to  the  waist  and  bound 
to  a  pillar.  Each  MONK  lashes  her  in  turn, 
piously  and  slowly  repeating  a  verse  from 
Holy  Scripture  as  he  does  so.  ROWENA  soon 
swoons. 
OFFA. 

Enough  for  the  nonce, — undo  her  bonds.    Let  her 
lie   here   without   food   or   water  twenty-four 
hours: — then  shall  we  make  more  of  her. 
FIRST  MONK. 

Wilt  thou  leave  her  this  devil's  spawn,  Abbot? 
OFFA.  [Indicating  the  child. 

Till  morning  break, — then  to  some  orphanage  for 
bastards  with  it.    Depart. 

[Exeunt  OFFA  and  MONKS. 

ACT  IV,  SCENE  III.— The  same. 

Enter  an  OLD  MONK. 
MONK. 

I  will  e'en  baptize  the  infant  as  the  Abbess  bids, 
ay — and  save  the  mother.    Thirty  years,  thirty 
147 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

years  dead,  yet  in  this  unfortunate  she  lives 
again,  my  long  lost  Rebecca.  Oh,  she  shall  not 
perish!  Diabolical  Offa,  thou  hast  other  de 
signs  here  than  churchly  ones,  I'll  warrant. 
Daughter,  dost  hear?  Drink  of  this,  and  with 
God's  help  thou  shalt  be  far  hence  ere  morning- 
light.  Though  the  task  be  difficult  yet  will  I 
consummate  it. 

[As  he  kneels,  pouring  the  liquor  down  ROWE- 
NA'S  throat,  the  scene  ends. 


ACT  IV,  SCENE  IV.— Before  OLGAR'S  castle.— A 
hunting-party  forming, — nobles,  foresters,  steeds, 
dogs  in  leash,  etc. — A  random  note  from  a  Jwrn 
heard  at  intervals,  intermingling  with  the  inter 
mittent  yelping  of  the  hounds  and  neighing  of 
horses. — Enter  OLGAR:  he  speaks  to  divers  no 
bles,  gives  some  commands  to  ATTENDANTS 
and  re-enters  the  castle. — Now  appears  ATHEL- 
WOLD,  magnificently  attired: — after  customary 
salutations  and  casual  inquiries,  handling  a  spear 
here,  a  bow  there,  he  too  departs  as  he  entered. 
As  he  makes  his  exit  enter  ROWENA  disguised 
as  a  boy,  with  her  child  concealed  in  a  black 
cloth: — it  is  very  early,  and  her  point  of  entry  is 
a  little  remote  from  the  cortege  of  nobles,  and 
behind  a  clump  of  shrubbery. 

ROW. 

Day  springs  reluctant  from  the  envious  east, 
And  here,  methinks,  I'll  rest  and  con  my  beads. 

(she  reclines  and  prays  briefly) 
Not  long  unwimpling  morn  her  welcome  face 

148 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Hath  shown,  yet  sweet-attuned  the  can'rous  hum 
Rises  from  bird  and  insect  choristers, — 
Or  couched  in  leafy  limb  or  mossy  bower, — 
Nor  lags  the  herald  cock  that  earlier  crows, 
Nor  creeping  thing  by  brook  and  marshy  pond;— 
While  honeysuckles  and  their  kind  now  ope 
Their  greedy  mouths  to  catch  the  pearly  dew. 
All  nature  wakes  refreshed,  but  not  so  I: — 
Slow-paced,  like  night's  long  hours  when  mourn 
ers  weep, 
I've  wandered,  faint  and  sore,  through  wood  and 

lane 
To  come — I  know  not  whither! — Yon's  a  pile 

(half  rising) 

Stately  and  wide,  of  hosp'table  aspect, 
And  gathering  in  the  court  I  now  discern 
A  knightly  train,  each  moment  waxing  larger. 
Alack,  this  costume! 
Ere  the  day  brightens  I'll  make  bold  t'  accost 

them: 

They  may  direct  my  steps  to  what  I  seek, — 
Which  found,  I'll  back  and  groan  o'er  penances 
In  the  old  nunn'ry  where  my  woes  began — 
Asking  but  this — from  life  a  swift  deliv'rance. 

(she  rises) 

In  such  a  place  as  this  my  Thelwy  dwelt, — 
Near  such  a  place  perchance  I'll  find  his  grave. — 
Ah  me! 
The  fatal  weakness  creeps  o'er  me  again. 

[She  sinks  down — the  child  cries,  hounds  Kay, 
several  young  nobles  come  scurrying  towards 
her. 

149 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

FIRST  NOBLE. 

Ha-ha!    What  dost  thou  here,  boy?    Up,  up,  up! 

[Pulling  ROW. 
SEC.  NOBLE. 

Out  with  him,  prowler!     Pull  him  out,  night- 
hawk! 

FIRST  NOBLE. 
Come,  mannikin,  forward,  forward!     What's  thy 

business  here? 
THIRD  NOBLE. 
A  prize!    A  prize! 

[Runs  his  spear  through  the  bundle  enwrap 
ping  the  infant,  and  dances  about  with  it 
dangling  aloft.  ROWENA  sJirielcs  and  im 
plores  him  to  lower  it,  but  he  pays  no  heed 
to  her — the  nobles  shouting  and  cheering 
their  fellow.  Enter  OLGAR  at  a  distance. 

ROW.  (frantic  at  length) 

Pestilent  varlet,  brav'st  a  mother's  fury? 

Now,  by  Niobe's  tears! — since  deaf  to  prayers, 

Down,  dog,  to  gaping  hell! 

[Wrenches  a  spear  from  one  of  the  nobles — 
now  augmented  —  and  runs  the  offender 
through: — he  falls  with  the  child  on  top  of 
him.  As  the  latter  rolls  off  on  the  ground  a 
great  Dane  leaps  out,  and  catching  the  bun 
dle  in  his  teeth,  circles  round  and  round  the 
enclosure. — ROWENA  is  seized  by  the  ex 
cited  nobles  as  she  starts  madly  after  the 
dog. — OLGAR  shouts  and  beckons  command- 
ingly,  and  she  is  dragged  before  him  with 
little  ceremony — the  dog  meanwhile  still 

150 


Scene  TV,  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

running  about,  with  young  nobles  pursuing 
him. 

Enter  ATHELWOLD  and  ELFRIDA,  from  a 

side  door. 
ELF. 

Alas,  sweet  lord,  I'm  loth  to  see  thee  go! 
Oh,  be  not  vent'rous,  love! — Nay,  do  not  smile, — 
I    had    a   dream   last   night   weighs   down   my 

spirits — 

Ah  me! — It  was  a  most  distressing  vision: — 
Methought  a  bleeding  heart  was  held  in  view, 
Plucked  from  a  bosom  that  I  deemed  my  lover's,- 
A  pale  corse  lay  near  by  it,  cold  and  rigid — 
But  as  I  stooped  to  scan  the  features  better 
I  woke, — to  find  my  bridegroom  bending  o'er  me. 
Doubtless    I    moaned    out    in    mine    anguished 

slumber? 

ATHELW. 

Thou  didst  indeed,  my  love! — Was  that  the  rea 
son? 

Oh! — rest  thy  fears: — mischievous  fancy 
Doth  conjure  up  a  thousand  horrent  forms 
To  daunt  the  tender,  doting  heart  of  woman, 
When  she's  in  love. — Hark! — what  mad  commo- 

tiion! 
See  how  they  press  and  throng  about  thy  sire! 

ELF. 

Nay,   where  youth   gathers   what  import   hath 
clamor? 

[They  move  forward: — as  they  do  so,  the  great 
Dane,  after  a  final  turn  or  two,  rushes  di- 

151 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

rectly  towards  them,  and  lays  the  child  un 
harmed  at  ATHELWOLD'S  feet. 
ATHELW.  (patting  him) 
Good  Stigo,  brave  Stlgo!  What  hast  thou  brought 

me,  Stigo? 
ELF. 

Zounds,   my  lord,  look! — This  is   some   scurvy 
knave's  impertinent  pleasantry. 
[ATHELWOLD  takes  up  the  child: — approach 
OLGAR,  etc.,  with  ROWENA  held  captive. 
Seeing  the  child,  she  struggles  out  is  held 
fast: — ATHELWOLD'S  back  turned  towards 
her. 

OLGAR. 

Here's  a  sad  adventure! 
Dost  know  what  thou  hast  done,  boy? 
ROW.  (calmly) 

Have  I  done  murder? 
OLGAR. 

Nay,  boy,  not  that: — sore  wounded,  he  yet  lives. 
ROW. 

"Boy,  boy?" — Why  dost  thou  call  me  boy? — 
Oh  me!  [Shrinks  oack,  recollecting. 

OLGAR. 

He  weeps, — alas,  he  is  but  young! 
I  pity  him. 
A  NOBLE. 

"Him,  him,"  my  lord? — Look! — the  torn  vest 
ment —  [ROWENA  would  pull  it  together. 
OLGAR. 

Hah,  by  my  old  eyes! — What  sex  art  thou? — 
'Umph, 

152 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE, 

A  duller  pair  might  mark  thy  hips  and  bosom. 
ROW. 
That  sex  indeed  that  loves  its  young  and  dies 

for't. 
Oh,  take  me  hence — to  prison — anywhere! 

OLGAR. 

'Lack,  if  the  child's  thine  own  and  thou  woman, 
The  brutal  thane  hath  well  deserved  his  fate. 
Oh!   Woman's  love,  in  all  the  deep  heart  bonds, 
Typifies  that  of  the  great  God  who  made  us, 
In  pure  unselfishness  and  immortal  vigor. 

Enter  OFFA  behind. 
ROW. 

Oh,  God  in  Heaven! — what  do  I  see? 
Thelwy,  Thelwy,  Thelwy! 

Art  thou  alive? — Thank  God,  thank  God,  thank 
God!  [Struggling  desperately. 

OLGAR. 

Ha,  ha,  ha! — a  merry  situation.  Lord  Athelwold, 
thou  hast  her  child,  and  she  must  play  quits  by 
claiming  thee  for  it.  It  hath  chanced  before. 

ELF. 
Put  down  the  brat,  my  lord! 

[ATHELWOLD  does  so  and  turns  away. 

OFFA  (pushing  to  the  front  briskly) 
What's  the  stir  about?    Ah!  Meg,  the  mad  nun, 
as  I  live.    What  dost  thou  here,  Meg? 

[To  ROWENA. 
ROW. 

Thou  black  devil  in  a  monk's  cowl,  away! 
Detestable  wretch,  didst  not  say  he  died? 

153 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

OFFA. 

Mum,  mum,  girl, — come,  go  with  me. 

[Very  soothingly. 
ROW. 

0  Thelwy! — see,  they  hold  me: — but  why  dost 
thou  stand  beside  the  fair  lady,  and  not  fly  to 
my  arms?          [Stretches  them  out  helplessly. 

OFFA. 

Most  melancholy  spectacle, — 0,  most  melancholy 
spectacle!  'Las,  this  is  her  wonted  humor:  — 
asking  every  nobleman  she  meets  to  come  to 
her  arms!  Oh,  that  none  had  e'er  obeyed  the 
summons!  Poor  mad  girl,  thou  hadst  then 
not  been  in  this  state. 

ROW.  (wildly) 

Thelwy,  my  dear  husband,  what  is  the  mystery? 
O  Thelwy,  canst  thou  deny  me? 

ELF. 

Scandalous  creature! — Whom  dost  thou  call  hus 
band? 

ROW. 

Him  whom  thou  claspest  by  the  hand,  lady. 

ELF. 

Why,  he  is  mine! 

ROW. 

Nay,  he  is  mine. 
ELF. 

1  tell  thee  I  was  wedded  to  him  yester-night. 

ROW. 

I  yester-night  a  year  ago.  Oh,  my  presaging 
fears!  [Weeps. 

154 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ELF. 

Outrageous! — What  say'st  to  that,  Lord  "Thel- 
wy"?    Thane,  art  thou  tongue-tied?    [To  ATH. 
OFF  A. 

0  sweet  Lady  Elfrida, — O  my  good  Lord  Olgar, 
heed  her  not!     Must  I  out  with  the  whole  mel 
ancholy  history? — A  nun  once,  pure,  devout — 
oh,  what  tears  have  I  shed  over  her! — she  was 
betrayed  by  one  It  behooves  me  not  to  name: — 
ye  behold  the  fruit.    Madness  seized  on  her 
after  the  child's  birth,  and  'tis  her  peculiar  de 
lusion  to  claim  every  new-made  bridegroom  as 
her  husband.    Disguised  as  she  now  is  ye  may 
find  her  wandering  from  castle  to  castle, — as 
the  moon  fulls,  my  lord,  as  the  moon  fulls. 
(turns  to  ROW.)  Come  with  me,  Meg, — come, 
come,  dear!     Uncle  Offa  will  take  thee  back  to 
the  old  nunnery.    Poor  mad  girl,  come. 

[Coaxingly. 
Enter  REDWALD  behind. 

ROW. 

Christ,  since  thou  sufferedst  was  ever  mortal  de 
nied  and  mocked  like  this? — Thelwy,  Thelwy, 
come  to  me!  See,  the  babe  coos  at  thy  knees 
— thy  babe  and  mine.  Wilt  thou  not  have  pity 
on  it,  owning  thyself  its  father?  Oh,  speak, 
speak,  speak! 

ELF. 

1  echo  that  wild  cry!     What  hast  to  say? 

[Turning  imperiously  to  ATHELW. 
ATHELW.  (clutching  his  throat) 
Hah? 

155 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

ELF. 

What  hast  thou  to  say? 
ATHELW. 

OQod! 
ELF. 

But  what  hast  thou  to  say? 
ATHELW. 

I  know  her  not  [Turns  away. 

ROW.  (more  wildly) 

O  speak!    O  speak!    O  speak! 

On  thy  words  hang  life  and  death — O  life! 

RED.  (thrusting  forward  and  leering  in  her  face) 
Pooh,  pooh,  pooh,  pooh! 
Zoroaster  laughed  when  he  was  born.* 

ROW. 

Oh,  'tis  too  much!     Accumulating  troubles, 
Break,  break,  break,  my  heart! 

[She  collapses. — OFFA  takes  OLGAR  aside  and 
talks  earnestly  to  him,  pointing  oft  to  RED- 
WALD. 

RED. 

Pooh,  pooh,  pooh,  pooh! 
Death's  the  sole  universal  heirloom: — 
Earth's  a  wide  death-bed;  yea,  its  very  crust 
The  ashes  of  the  holocaust  of  ages — 
Millions,  millions,  millions,  millions — 
Soot  and  ashes,  soot  and  ashes,  soot  and  ashes — 
Tis  a  shrewd  guess  we  serve  that  end  by  living. 
Lo! — a  babe, — the  babe  is  born — ah! — see, 
Pretty,  pretty  thing,  it  wails,  it  cries, — 


•This    tradition    of    Zoroaster    (or    Zardusht)    is    men 
tioned  by  Pliny,  among  other  authors. 

156 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

No  wonder! 

The  sentence  of  death's  been  passed  upon  it. 

On  it? — On  you,  on  you,  on  you — on  all! 

All,  all  condemned  who  breathe! — We're  male 
factors, 

With  death-watch  set, — ha,  ha! — and  each  one 
wond'ring — 

At  least  the  few  that  think!— 

Who  next  will  be  led  forth,  like  in  a  plague. 

What,  whimp'ring  mortal,  recks  it,  then,  (taking 
up  the  child) 

If  thou  die  early  or  die  late? 

To-day's  as  soft  a  couch  as  to-morrow. 

Oh,  come  the  noble  death!  [Kisses  and  fondles  it. 

OFFA  (nudging  OLGAR) 
See,  see,  see! 

OLGAR. 

Ay,  the  paternity's  out, — both  punished  with 
madness,  too.  Retributive  justice,  what  a  fate! 
— Didst  note  his  wise  declamation?  This  is 
more  like  stage  lunacy: — he  begins  to  talk 
much  and  out  of  place. 

OFFA. 

Yea,  and  indeed  shames  us  with  his  superior 
wisdom — the  trick  of  the  feigned  character,  not 
the  true  madman.  Catch  your  lunatic  in  soli 
tude  if  you  would  spy  sure  marks  of  his  mal 
ady: — this  at  least  in  the  beginning,  when  it 
falls  suddenly  on  undecayed  faculties.  In  com 
pany,  ever  conscious  of  observation,  he  is  dis 
creet,  watchful  and  taciturn.  Mark  the  girl — 
she  does  better. 

157 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

OLGAR. 

But  this  is  mal-apropos,  too.     Carry  them  both 
within,  and  we  will  see  what  disposition  may 
be  made  of  the  matter. 
OFFA. 
No  other  disposition,  surely,  my  lord,  than   a 

mad-house  for  both  of  them! 
OLGAR. 

But  art  sure  the  girl's  demented? 
OFFA  (with  conviction) 
Oh,  she  is  mad,  stark  mad! — Let  no  man  doubt 

it:— 

I've  had  her  case  passed  on  by  some  psychiaters, 
That  are  themselves  half  mad,  and  know  the 

signs. 
OLGAR. 

Th'  elect  of  the  profession,  eh,  Offa? — Well, 
Away  with  them! 

[ROWENA  and  child  are  borne  off,  and  RED- 

WALD  seized  and  forced  after  them. 
OFFA. 

Where's  my  Lord  Athelwold?  [He  comes  forward. 
ELF. 

That's  not  the  riddle!    Where's  Elfrida? 
OLGAR. 
What  ask'st  thou?    Why  stand'st  thou  with  thy 

brows  knit  so  unkindly,  child? 
ELF. 

Quoth  he  "O  God! " 
OFFA. 

Now,   dost  wonder  at  that,  lady?     I'll  enlight 
thee: 

158 


Scene  IV.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

A  sudden,  poignant  pain 

Seized    on   his   reins, — sharper   than   Dunstan's 

pincers,* 
That  tweaked  the  devil's  nose  and  made  him 

howl — 
That  pain  would  make  thee  moan  "0  God"  too, 

lady. 
0  these  banquets  and   wine!      These   banquets 

and  wine!    (turns  to  ATHELWOLD) 
Did  I  not  warn  thee?    Drink  asparagus'  juice — 

Cyathus  vinarius  ter  in  die  post  cib. — 
As  I  prescribed  for  thee  some  time  ago, — 
Else  groan  thy  days  out  with  thy  malady. 

ELF.  (looking  fixedly  at  ATHELW.) 
Quoth  he  "O  God!" 

OLGAR. 

No  more  of  that!  Hath  not  the  excellent  Offa 
explicated  all?  Prithee,  in — we  will  know 
more  presently. — Let  the  hounds  be  put  to  ken 
nel: — we'll  hunt  another  day,  my  lords.  O 
human  miseries — alas!  [Exeunt  omnes. 


*Dunstan — Abbot  of  Glastonbury,  Archbishop  of  Can 
terbury,  Saint  Dunstan.  The  exploits,  tricka  and  super 
stitions  connected  with  this  subtle  prelate's  name  form  a 
very  edifying  chapter  in  early  English  history.  The  ren 
counter  with  the  devil  here  adverted  to  presumably 
occurred  in  Dunstan's  private  stithy — the  abbot  divert 
ing  himself  occasionally  at  the  forge — where,  after  re 
peated  visits,  the  malicious  fiend  was  one  day  taken  una 
wares,  Dunstan  catching  his  proboscis  in  a  pair  of  red- 
hot  pincers,  and  making  him  swear  to  never  molest  him 
again.  The  tradition  runs,  if  I  mistake  not,  that  the 
father  of  lies  kept  his  word. 

159 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

ACT  IV,  SCENE  V.— A  mad-house  at  midnight— 
Out  of  impenetrable  darkness  comes  a  woman's 
voice: — ROWENA  awaking,  imagines  herself  in 
Hell. 

ROW. 

God!—  God!— God!— God!— Who  else  is  nigh? 

'Tis  dark,  'tis  dark,  'tis  dark — what  place  is  this? 
(maniacs  shriek) 

What  place,  my  soul? — Convulsion,   chaos   and 
night! 

Oh,  mercy,  Christ! — Oh,  mercy,  mercy,  mercy! 

O  prayers,  your  offices! — Hark,  they  wail  again,— 
(more  tumult) 

The  tenants  of  perdition  welcome  me. 

Hah,  —  door    of   torment,    open! — Judged    and 
damned, 

My  prescient  soul,  I  know  I'm  lost  in  Hell; — 

Roused  from  the  mortal  change  which  men  call 
death, 

With  the  cold  dew  congealed  upon  my  brow, 

Long  slumbering,   chill  and  numb  I   wake — in 
Hell. 

Ah,  Christ! 

One  sin  hath  dragged  me  down, — the  sin  of  lov 
ing: — 

God!      Thou   mad'st   woman's   heart — canst   Thou 
condemn  us? 

By  thy  fore-doom  we  love  what  Thou  left'st  faith 
less — 

Fore-doomed  for  man,  what  means  that  but  fore- 
damned? 

Thou  mad'st  all  things,— didst  Thou  make  tor 
ment  too 

160 


Scene  V.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Our  portion  in  two  worlds? — Am  I  damned  al 
ready? 

Despair  gives  strength: — fore-damned,  I'd  face 
my  Maker 

Rebellious  like  the  first  fell  brood  of  Hell. 

Oh,  there  again!  (renewed  commotion — a  child 
whines)  Hark! — ears,  what's  human  here? 
(silence) 

Naught  comforts  from  the  universal  gloom, — 

The  universe  now  night  and  my  black  soul,  (the 
child  cries') 

Hah! — is't  an  illusion? — Where  art? — thou  cry'st 
still— 

0  precious,  precious,  priceless  consolation!  (softs) 
My    babe — O    blessed    sound! — mine    innocent's 

voice — 

Oh,  here,  here,  here!     I  have  thee  in  my  arms:  — 
Nay,  if  thou'rt  here  thy  mother's  not  in  Hell, — 
'Tis  all  a  dream,  a  phantasm  wrought  by  terror; 
But  oh,  how  real — how  horribly,  horribly  real! 
All  save  the  fiery  couch  and  visible  fiends, — 
Ah!  conscience  needs  them  not  to  make  a  hell. 
Mad  phantasm,  hence. — Alas! — where  am  I? 
My  hands  and  limbs  are  free, — 'tis  not  a  gaol; 

1  grope,  and  feel  that  cold  stones  wall  me  in:  — 
Let  me  collect  my  thoughts — a  potion  given  me 
As  I  lay  faint, — no  more  can  I  remember. 

But  ah!  it  dawns  on  me — they  called  me  mad: 
Oh!    I  was  not  far  wrong, — it  is  a  hell — 
I'm  in  a  mad-house. 

[Sounds   of  sobbing  mingle  with    the  child's 
puling. — Scene  ends. 


161 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

ACT  IV,  SCENE  VI.— The  same.— Moonlight  illum 
ines  the  cell  now: — ROWENA  in  a  corner  hud 
dled  up. 

A  VOICE  FROM  THE  WINDOW. 
Come  to  the  casement,  love;  come  to  the  case 
ment,  love — 

Come  to    the  casement: — the  fools   left  it  un 
barred. 

ROW. 
Who  art  thou? 

THE  VOICE. 

Come  to  the  casement,  love;  come  to  the  case 
ment,  love — 
Come  to  the  casement. — Nay,  fear  not. 

ROW. 

Again,  who  art  thou? 

THE  VOICE. 
Redwald,  Redwald,  Redwald. 

Enter  REDWALD  from  tJie  window. 

ROW. 

Unhappy  man,  what  dost  thou  here? 

RED. 

What  all  do, — weep,  weep,  weep! 
Oh,  I  heard  thee, — howl,  howl,  howl,  ye  demons! 

(noises) 

Locked  up  with  madmen,  I! — 0  outrage!  — 
But  an  old  vine  hugs  th'  inhospitable  walls, — 
Here's  rope  of  twisted  tendrils:  — 
Thou  art  my  sweetheart  now, — come,  fly  with  me. 

ROW. 

I  will,  I  will,  I  will!— O  bless'd  deliverance! 

[Exeunt  through  the  window. 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ACT  IV,  SCENE  VII.— The  same. 

Enter  TWO  KEEPERS  with  lanterns. 
FIRST  KEEP. 
Take  the  brat  from  her;  drag  it  from  her  arms, 

I  say. 

'Twas  Offa's  peremptory  order. 
SEC.  KEEP. 

'Lack,  where  is  she? — The  cell's  empty! 
FIRST  KEEP. 

Empty,  fool! — Lend  me  thy  lantern. 
SEC.  KEEP. 
Oh,  she's  gone! — See,  the  casement's  drawn.     I 

warned  thee  too,  Gyves: — these  old  cells — 
FIRST  KEEP. 

Rouse  the  head  keeper,  sirrah,  instantly!  'Tis  a 
long  leap  to  the  ground, — we  may  find  her 
bones  below.  Oh,  a  pretty  mess,  truly! 

[Exeunt. 

ACT  IV,  SCENE  VIII— The  woods  adjoining. 

Enter  REDWALD  and  ROWENA. 
RED. 

I  cut  out  his  heart  with  this  dagger!   (showing 

one) 

Wilt  thou  be  my  love  forever? 
ROW. 

O  pity,  pity! — Thou  wouldst  not  murder  me? 
RED. 

I'll  fetch  thee  a  hatful  of  dewberries  and  a  gourd 
of  spring-water  an  thou'lt  say  yes.  Then  we'll 

163 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  IV, 

to  the  castle  or  cave,  as  thou  listest,  and  drink 
mandragora. — No  more  o'  the  other  one, — false, 
false,  false!  \He  sings. 

She  is  too  fair  to  look  at  me — 

Beat  away,  heart! 
She  is  too  fair  to  look  at  me, — 

Or  say,  is't  art? 
She  is  too  fair  to  look  at  me, 
She  is  too  young  to  learn  of  me, 
She  is  too  wise  to  feel  for  me, — 

Ah!  "beat  away,  heart. 
ROW. 

Yes,  then;  oh,  yes! 
RED. 

"Losel,  losel" — /  hear  the  woods  groan, — 
When  seven  lie  dead 
For  one  maid  wed, 
Who  wears  the  ring  will  claim  his  own. 

'Twas  graven  on  that  she  gave  me.  O  the  proph 
ets! — the  prophets! — the  false  preachers  and 
prophets!  [Exit. 

ROW. 

Life,  O  fountain  of  wretchedness,  how  thou  in 
to  xicatest  all  that  come  to  drink  of  thy  waters! 
Miseries  on  miseries  may  overwhelm  us,  pov 
erty  famish,  death  confound, — yet,  infatuate, 
the  heart-sick  mortal  weeps  on  through  count 
less  calamities,  resigned  or  pusillanimous. 
Alas! — wherefore?  O  effluence  of  inscrutable 
deity,  life! — what  art  thou,  why  art  thou?  The 
wise  of  all  ages  have  asked  this — asked  all  in 
vain.  —  Many,  indeed,  in  dark  dreams  have 

164 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

grasped  the  bright  nymph  in  the  fountain: 
— but  the  elusive  shape  escapes  the  inprehen- 
sile  fingers  of  matter,  and  the  discovery  on 
waking  is  only  that  of  intellect's  finity.  But 
thou  mother  with  the  babe  at  thy  breast!  — ask 
not  sacrilegiously  why  thou  yet  livest.  (caress 
ing  it)  Seduced,  forsaken,  conspired  against 
unto  deadly  peril,  I  wander  aimlessly  through 
a  dense  wood,  companioned  by  a  madman:  — 
forsaken,  it  may  be,  but  not  by  God!  He  hath 
tempered  the  madman's  frenzy, — my  hero  and 
protector,  who  useth  me  with  noble,  gallant 
gentleness.  Yes!  madmen,  wild  beasts,  vipers, 
asps  and  scorpions  are  far  less  noxious  than  de 
signing  villains  whose  plans  we  may  obstruct. 
— Oh,  Heavens! 
Enter  OFFA  and  KEEPERS  with  cudgels. 

OFFA. 

Here  she  is  and  all's  well.  But  look  out  for 
t'other  one: — he  hath  a  dagger  ta'en  from  the 
young  goatherd  we  met  i'  the  way. 

FIRST  KEEP. 
Fear  not,  Lord  Abbot. 

ROW.  (wringing  her  hands) 
Now  am  I  utterly  undone  and  lost.    Vile  man!  — 
wilt  thou  not  slay  me  at  once  and  be  done  with 
it? 

OFFA. 

Prithee  lad,  secure  her  mouth: — shall  we  be 
wounded  with  a  two-edged  sword?  Oh,  the 
tongue's  a  formidable  thing  in  woman! 

[ROWENA  is  gagged  and  secured. 

165 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

Re-enter  RBDWALD  with  berries  and  flowers. 
RED. 

Ask  unbidden   guests? — Ha! — Murderers!    Rav- 
ishers! 

[Whips  out  his  dagger  and  stabs  the  nearest 
KEEPER, — the  other  dodges  and  knocks  him 
senseless  with  his  cudgel. 
FIRST  KEEP. 

I  bleed,  father  Abbot,  I  bleed! — Oh,  oh!       [Dies. 
OFFA. 
Fool!  did  I  not  warn  thee? — Take  thy  medicine, 

— get  hence. 
SEC.  KEEP. 

The  nobleman's  dead  too, — that's  quits. 
OFFA. 

Tush,  no, — thy  blow  cracked  not  his  cranium:  — 
seest   blood   ooze   from   his   ears?     He's  but 
senseless. 
SEC.  KEEP. 

Some  one  comes. 
OFFA. 

Drag  the  body  i'  the  bushes.    As  for  thee, (threat 
ening  ROW.) — oh,  if  thou  so  much  as  sighest! 
[They  drag  the  body  and  ROW.  to  concealment. 
Enter  THREE  ROMANIES. 
FIRST  ROM.  (sings) 

Pitch  thy  camp  in  the  woods, 
Steal  other  men's  goods, 
And  bask  in  the  sun  where  it  shines,  oh! 
An  idle  life's  merry, 
An  honest  contrary, — 
But  seldom  the  Romany  pines,  oh! 

166 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

SEC.  ROM. 
Rest  we  awhile.    The  game's  all  corralled  at  the 

rendezvous? 
THIRD  ROM. 

All. 

FIRST  ROM. 
Are  the  orders  all  supplied?    Read  me  the  chief 

consignments. 

THIRD  ROM.  (pulls  out  a  paper  and  reads) 
Mem. — Three  virgins  for  Mustapha  Said  at  Ven 
ice — blue-eyed. 

Mem. — Ten  do.  for  S P 's — straight-leg 
ged — to  wash  dishes. 

Mem. — A  blonde  for  the  old  C 1  Luigo — not 

red-headed. 

Mem. — Two  boys  for  the  A of  Syracuse — 

must  not  have  s th. 

Unintelligible  scribble! — Read  it  thyself,   (toss 
ing  paper  to  t'other  one) 
FIRST  ROM. 

'Twill  do!    Wouldst  show  thy  secrets  to  a  finical 
age? — We  sail  Tuesday  week. 
Enter  OFFA  pulling  in  ROWENA. 
OFFA. 

Rinaldo,  well  met.    What! — jump  up  and  draw 
your  poniards  on  a  friend?     Fy,  fy! — sit  ye 
down.    What,  sirs!    I  have  business  with  ye. 
FIRST  ROM. 
Ha,  ha,  ha! — Well  met,  monk.    Rogues,  sit  as  he 

bids  ye, — be  friends  with  my  old  crony,  Offa. 
OFFA  (to  FIRST  ROM.) 
Rinaldo,  a  word  in  private.     [They  walk  apart. 

167 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  IV, 

SEC.  ROM. 
My  service  to  thee,  fair  leman.        [Kisses  ROW. 

THIRD  ROM. 
Mine  too,  pudicity.  [Ditto. 

SEC.  ROM.  (unmuffling  ROW.) 
Didst  ever  see  such  a  honeyfied  mouth? 

[Kisses  her  again. 

THIRD   ROM. 

Or  such  a  waist?  [Embraces  ROWENA. 

ROW. 

O  shameless  dogs!  [Struggles  bootlessly. 

FIRST  ROM.   (coming  forward) 
Three  or  nothing. 

OFFA  (following) 
Make  it  the  half  pound  and  take  the  child. 

FIRST  ROM. 
Three  or  nothing!  [Jingling  money. 

OFFA. 

Thou  art  an  avaricious  hound! — But  wilt  sell 
her  in  Crete  if  I  yield? 

FIRST  ROM. 

Ay,  or  to  a  Genoese  camp-follower. 
OFFA. 

Come  then,  we'll  not  haggle  over  the  difference. 
But  thou  duist  not  cast  dice   for  it,   I'll  be 
bound,  Rinaldo. 
FIRST  ROM. 
Agreed! 

[Pulls  out  dice; — they  seat  themselves  apart 
and  throw. 

168 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

SEC.    ROM.    (opening    ROWBNA'S    vest — she    is 

still  bound) 
Beautiful,  beautiful!     Does  the  cow  give  sweet 

milk,  I  wonder? 
THIRD  ROM. 

Leave  thy  foolery: — see,  our  betters  are  busy. 
Come,  girl,  go  with  me.        [Pulling  ROWBNA. 
SEC.  ROM. 

The  fellow's  sublime! — Lucretia,  come  with  me. 
[Pulling  her  another  way. 
OFFA  (contentiously) 

Seven! 
FIRST  ROM. 

No. 

OFFA. 
Yes. 
FIRST  ROM. 

No,  I  say! 
OFFA. 

Well,  cast  again,  then.      [Silence  in  that  quarter. 
SEC.  ROM.  (quarreling) 

Wilt  not  wait,  hah? — Away! 
ROW. 

O  God!— this  too? 
THIRD  ROM. 
Wait?— Not  I,  by  Bacchus! 

[They  struggle — ROWENA  falls: — the  twang 
of  a  bow  is  heard  and  an  arrow  transfixes 
the  ROMANY  last  clutching  ROWENA,— 
again,  and  the  same  thing  happens  to  the 
other  one. 
Enter  HAKO  and  OUTLAWS. 

169 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  IV, 

HAKO. 
At  last! 

[Releases    and   embraces    ROWENA.  —  OFFA 
and  the  FIRST  ROMANY  have  been  secured, 
and  the  SEC.   KEEPER  also  brought  in  a 
captive. 
ROW. 

O  my  brother! — thou  wilt  not  shed  more  blood? 
HAKO  (sternly) 

Peace,  as  thou  lovest  me. 
ROW. 

Alack! — one  lies  bleeding  in  the  thicket  to  whom 
I    owe    much.     Oh,    save   Redwald,    unhappy 
youth! 
[She    runs    to    the    thicket  —  REDWALD    is 

brought  in. 
HAKO. 

He  lives. 
ROW. 
Thank  God!    At  the  risk  of  his  life  he  befriended 

me. 
SEC.  KEEP. 

Captain  Outlaw,  look  you,  I  ask  naught  for  my 
self,  but  ye  dragged  me  from  the  body  of  my 
friend: — rain  or  shine,  in  luck  and  out,  yon 
carl  and  I  have  been  comrades  twenty  years. 
Let  me  but  put  him  in  earth  decently,  and  if 
thou  wilt  have  it  so  take  my  life  as  fee  for't 
and  welcome.  Comrades  true,  comrades  ever. 

HAKO. 

For  that  speech  thou  hast  thy  liberty,  true-heart,- 
Get  thee  gone  with  him.    Come  hither,  my  sister. 

170 


Scene  VIII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

[Exit  SEC.  KEEPER.— HAKO  converses  apart 

with  ROW. 
OFF  A. 

Now  will  she  tell  all,  good,  bad  and  indiff'rent: — 
Ay,  like  her  incontinent  bladder,  a  woman's  heart 
Must  needs  discharge  its  contents  at  short  inter 
vals! 
Well! — by   naught   elated   and   by   naught  cast 

down, 
A  great  soul  holds  aloof  from  circumstance. 

(HAKO  advances) 
Robber! — what  wouldst  thou  do  with  me? 

HAKO  (calmly) 

Why,  I  mean  to  send  thee  back  to  Olgar's  castle, 
But  in  an  altered  shape,  I'll  promise  thee. 

(with  fierce  energy) 

A  vow,  a  vow! — Thou  mad'st  a  vow,  my  soul! 
[Exeunt  OUTLAWS  with  their  captives,  ROW- 
ENA  and  REDWALD,  leaving  the  bodies. 


171 


ACT    V. 


ACT  V. 

ACT  V,  SCENE  I.— A  corridor  in  OLGAR'S  castle. 

Enter  ATHELWOLD  and  ALFRED  meeting. 
ATHELW. 

Thou  here! 
ALF. 

Joy,  Athelwold.  [Embraces  him. 

ATHELW. 

Didst  see  the  King? — Thou  art  soon  returned. 
ALF. 

No  sooner  than  thou'lt  be  chidden  roundly: — 

He  comes  hither. 
ATHELW. 

Comes! 
ALF. 

Dost   start? — Ay,   thou'rt   caught   in   knavish 

tricks! 
ATHELW. 

The  King  COMES? 
ALF. 

Humph! — The  gay  cavalier  must  wed  in  secret, 

Lest  old  friends  sit  at  the  wedding-feast  with 
him,— 

Or  didst  thou  fear  my  rivalship,  belike, 

That  I  must  pack  away  on  a  fool's  errand? 

Pish! — why  dost  thou  clutch  my  arm  so? 

ATHELW. 
On  thy  soul's  honor,  no! — the  King  comes  not? 

ALF. 

Yea. 
ATHELW. 

NAT! 

175 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

ALF. 
But  TEA! 

Couched  in  a  casual  word,  I  learned  his  purpose, 
Then  stole  away  without  his  privity: — 
Methought  to  be  beforehand  with  the  badinage. 

ATHELW. 
Man,  I'm  undone!    Where  didst  thou  meet  him? 

— True, 

Kings  sometimes  steal  away,  and  in  disguise 
Explore  their  realms, — though  'tis  not  Edgar's 

wont. 

ALF. 

There  thou  hast  him: — on  his  way  hitherward 
Disguised  I  met  him, — scarce  distant  now  ten 
leagues. 

ATHELW. 
Oh,  oh,  oh! 

ALF. 
He  liked  not  thy  message  neither,  I'll  warrant 

thee: — 
He  drew  down  his  kingly  brows  and  stamped  his 

foot 
Whenas  he  read. — It  touched  the  priest's  affairs? 

ATHELW. 
Hah— Offa— true— Offa!  [Exit. 

ALF. 

Humph,  humph! — He's  in  a  singular  humor: — 
I'll  after  him, 

And  rally  his  bridegroom  spleen  into  a  frenzy. 

[Exit. 


176 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ACT  V,  SCENE  IL— The  bridal  bower.— ELFRIDA 
in  the  act  of  retiring,  partly  disrobed, — ELF- 
WINE  attending. 

ELF. 
Get  thee  gone,  Elfwine, — my  lord  comes. 

[Exit  ELFW. 
Enter  ATHELWOLD  hurriedly. 

ATHELW. 

Where's  Offa? 
ELF. 

My  love? 

ATHELW. 
Where's  Offa?— OFFA! 

ELF. 

Why,  at  his  beads,  belike — or  should  be,  marry! 
What's   that  to   thee? — Why   ask'st  thou   after 

him? 
At  this  hour  o'  night,  will  not  Elf  rid  do? 

[Coming  to  him. 
ATHELW. 
At  his  beads! 

[Exit. — ELFRIDA    follows    to    the    door    but 

turns  back  impatiently. 
ELF. 

Oh,  an  unquiet  conscience  mars  his  peace 
Who  thus   abruptly  starts  and  breaks  off  dis 
course, 

Ere  well  he  hath  begun! — He  acts  most  strange 
ly:— 

His  compliments  have  soured  to  gloomy  looki, 
His  gallantry's  mildewed  to  melancholy, 

177 


THE  FAITHLKSS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

His  sighs  are  sorrow's  own  and  not  love's  feign 
ing, 

And  oft  he  moans  in's  sleep. — He  is  not  guiltless 
Who,  so  transformed,  frowns  out  his  honeymoon, 
Changed  in  the  hour  of  fervor  and  delight 
As  hy  an  evil  spell,  to  my  affront. 
O  jealousy! — build  not  too  rash  conjectures, 
E'en  where  thou  hast  good  grounds: — he  is  not 

guiltless — 
Nay,  but  I'll  probe  proof  well   ere  I  condemn 

him,— 

I'll  brook  his  bare,  perfunct  denials  no  longer. 
Re-enter  ATHELWOLD. 

ATHELW. 

Where's  Off  a? — Dost  thou  not  know? — WHERE'S 
Offa! 

I've  ranged  through  room  and  corridor  since 
sundown, 

And  none  can  tell: — the  dull  fools  stare  agape, 

Or  shake  their  asinine  heads. — O  Offa,  Offa! 
(flinging  himself  down) 

Were  this  place  red  Hell, 

Where  thou  art  better  known,  I  might  be  an 
swered: — 

Being  more  concerned,  the  devil  keeps  better 
track 

Than  we  do  of  priests'  movements,  (thunder — 
he  jumps  up)  Hark!  Heav'n  peals — (he  goes 
to  the  casement  and  throws  it  open) 

Phew, — how  it  rains! — I  should  be  gone  ere  this: 
— (turning  away) 

There  lies  an  ancient  abbey  close  vicine, 


178 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

And  he  may  be  there  now. — Good  night,  good 

night!   (going) 
Perhaps   the   last! — but   still,    my   sweet,   good 

night;— 

I  must,  I  will  see  Offa, — dastardly  priest! 
Forsake  me  i'  the  pinch?  [At  the  door. 

ELF.  (embracing  him) 

Thou  shalt  not  stir  foot  forth  this  evil  night, — 
Elfrida  wills  it. 
ATHELW. 

Thou'rt  Queen  Absolute  to  my  thoughts  and  ac 
tions, 

And  regent  o'  my  dreams, 

Yet  must  not  balk  me  now. — Oh!  dost  thou  love 
me?  [Seizes  her  in  his  arms. 

ELF. 

O  my  bosom!  — 

To  the  last  heart-throb,  my  sweet,  gloomy  thane. 
ATHELW. 

Oh,  there's  hope  in  that! — Can  men  believe  ye? 
ELF.  (sweetly) 

Come,  put  it  to  the  proof — now  down,  suspicion! 
What  was  that  girl  to  thee? 
ATHELW.    (stares    at    her   stupidly,    then    turns 

away) 
Gods! — What  a  dismal  night! 

[To  the  window  again,  still  open. 
ELF.  (shutting  it) 
Nay,  let  the  tempest  roar! — Tumults  that  rage 

within 

More  wreck  our  peace.    Prithee,  begin  confess 
ing! 

179 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Atf  V, 

Thou  ow'st  me  this, — a  full  and  free  recital: 

No  less  shall  win  forgiveness. 

[Leading  him  to  a  couch. 
ATHELW.  (not  looking  at  her) 

And  must  I  tell  thee  all? 
ELF. 

All,  all!— I'll  love  thee  the  better  for  it,— 

Thou  hast  evaded  it  too  long  already. 

Art  not  a  man? — That  word  implies  some  faults, 

Some  capers  of  excess  the  world  terms  gallant 
ries, 

Which  wives  must  needs  o'er-look,  else  be  be 
reaved. 

Come  now,  the  tale! — Unmoved  I'll  listen  to  thee. 
ATHELW. 

What  woman  hBars  unmoved  a  tale  of  perfidy? 
ELF. 

Who  loves  but  pities  where  the  world  execrates. 

ATHELW.  (in  tears) 

Steeped  to  the  eyelids  in  sweet  womanliness 

Art  thou,  my  bride! — I'll  break  thy  gentle  heart. 
ELF. 

Tell  me! — thou  canst  see  the  priest  anon. 
ATHELW.  (rising  abruptly) 

Why,  I  have  naught  to  tell! — Live  and  be  happy. 

[Exit. 
ELF.  (stamping) 

Now,  'tis  too  much! — He  scorns  and  mocks  my 
tenderness, — 

Oh,  I  could  choke  with  rage  and  self-disdain! 

I've  cast  myself  away  upon  a  villain, 

A  dark,  impenetrable,  secretive  villain, 

180 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Self-locked,  self-absolute, — 

The  kind  our  sex  most  loathes — to  smiles  and 
tears 

Alike  invulnerable — 

Re-enter  ATHELWOLD  with  a  sword. 
ATHELW. 

I  am  ready  to  die: — do  thou  take  this  blade, 

And  promise  me  when  thou  begin'st  to  hate — 

Upon  the  spur  of  that  same  fatal  moment — 

Thou'lt  thrust  me  through, — and  then  I'll  tell 

thee  all. 
ELF.  (laughingly) 

Thou  wilt  live  long,  that  I'll  promise  thee. 

Was  she  fair  in  thine  eyes,  Athelwold? 
ATHELWOLD.  (absently) 

As  beautiful  as  ever  dream  or  vision 

Portrayed  to  rapture.  [Sighs. 

ELF. 

Oh,  was  she  indeed,  my  lord! — Heigh-ho, — pish! 

The  night  lengthens — wilt  thou  soon  have  fin 
ished? 
ATHELW. 

Thou  ask'dst  to  see  the  house  of  my  dead  past, 

And  wilt  thou  turn  back  at  the  vestibule? 
ELF. 

Humph! — I  deemed  her  ugly  in  her  boy's  ap 
parel: — 

How  did  she  look  in  her  own  guise,  prithee? 
ATHELW. 

Why, — I  have  forgotten — look? 
ELF. 

What! — and  think  so  much  of  her,  dear  Athel 
wold?  [Inarming  him. 

181 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  V, 

ATHELW. 
Once  she  seemed  fair,  but  now, — oh,  now  'twere 

diff'rent! 

Who  seeing  thee  can  aught  conceive  of  beauty 
Save  what  thou  art  or  seem'st? 
Elfrida's  face  is  fairer  than  Rowena's, 
Elfrida's  form  is  rounder  than  Rowena's, 
Elfrida's  voice  is  gentler  than  Rowena's, 
Elfrida's  heart — oh!  can  that  heart  be  kinder, 
Or  more  forgiving,  constant,  true  or  tender? 

[With  emotion,  averting  his  face. 

ELF. 

That  soon  I'll  prove  to  thea: — proceed  no  fur 
ther— 
I  do  forgive  thee  all  ere  that  thou  ask'st  it. 

ATHELW. 

Thou  art  not  yet  come  to  the  mountain  of  my 
faults. 

ELF. 

How? — she  was  thy  leman  and  the  child's  thy 
son! 

ATHELW. 
Quick  intuition  marks  a  woman's  mind. 

ELF. 

And  knowing  this,  what  more  remains  to  tell? 

ATHELW. 

Thou  wilt  not  pardon  when  thou  hast  learned  all. 
ELF. 

He  twice  offends  who  proffered  pardon  cavils. 

ATHELW. 

Basely  I  betrayed  her  to  her  ruin. 

182 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ELF. 
That  oft  hath  chanced  and  will  while  maids  trust 

men. 
ATHELW. 

Who  thus  can  speak  feels  not  her  sex's  wrongs. 
ELF. 
Pooh! — should    I    weep   for   a   strange    girl,    I 

wonder? 
ATHELW. 

Not  weep,  yet  feel: — and  feeling  thou  must  cen 
sure. 
ELF. 

Thane,    but   I'm   partial! — That's   my   woman's 
privilege.  [Nestling  up  to  Mm. 

ATHELW. 

Meaning  thou  lov'st  me  much,  forgiving  fair  one? 
ELF. 
Men  too  sometimes  grasp  things  without  deep 

pond'ring! 
ATHELW. 

O  King,  thou  com'st  in  vain! — True  love  scorns 
coronets.  [Falls  at  her  feet. 

ELF. 

What  words  low  mutter'st  thou  with  brow  con 
vulsed? 
ATHELW. 

Oh! — would'st  lie  in  the  King's  bed  at  his  bid 
ding,  say? 
ELF. 

'Sdeath! — To  make  wives  harlots  bait  them  with 
lewd  jests. 

183 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  V, 

ATHELW. 
Nor  said  I  this  designing  fresh  affront. 

ELF. 

And  what  hadst  thou  in  mind,  speaking  outrage 
ously? 
ATHELW. 

There  was  a  maid  once  saved  by  a  mother's 

ruse.* 
ELF. 

But  there  were  remedies  besides  hand-maidens!  t 
ATHELW. 

And  what  hadst  thou  done,  say,  on  like  compul 
sion? 
ELF. 

A  dagger  plied  at  midnight  had  served  the  turn.J 
ATHELW. 

O  excellent  courage!  O  sweet  cheer  and  comfort! 

The  nun  Editha  §  too  suffered  foul  wrong. 
ELF. 

Now,  out  on  thee! — Why  harp'st  thou   on  old 

scandals? 
ATHELW. 

But  many  virgins  more  have  fared  as  ill. 


*The  daughter  of  the  nobleman  near  Andover,  whom 
Edgar  demanded  of  her  parents,  like  Pausanias  did  Cle- 
onice  at  Byzantium. 

tThe  name  of  the  handmaiden  immolated  to  save  the 
high-born  girl's  chastity  was  Blfleda — a  name  already 
referred  to  in  these  notes. 

JElfrida's  disposition  to  ply  the  dagger — through  other 
hands,  at  least — was  evinced  in  the  fate  of  Edward  the 
Martyr,  slain  some  years  later  at  her  Instigation,  after 
she  had  born  Ethelred  to  Edgar. 

§  Edgar  broke  into  a  convent,  carried  off  Editha,  a  nun, 
by  force,  and  even  committed  violence  on  her  person. — 
Hume. 

184 


Scene  II.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ELF. 

Have  done! — Thy  sex  was  never  aught  but  disso 
lute. 

ATHELW. 
Neither  are  young  wives  deemed  insipid  morsels. 

ELF. 

Man  of  strange  moods! — comes  the  King  hither, 
say? 

ATHELW. 
Thou  hast  guessed  it! 

[Striding  away  in  agitation,  he  knocks  down  a 
table  and  chair  on  which  a  rich  dress  re 
poses. 

ELF.  (wildly) 

O  Heavens,  my  lord! — thy  foot's  on  my  new 
gown, — 

Oh,  dear,  dear,  dear,  dear! — In  mercy,  move  not! 

Beseech  thee,  stir  not! — thou  wilt  leave  a  rent 
else; 

Now  raise  thy  foot, — oh,  those  lace  tassels! 

Nay,  gently,  gently — patience!  (she  extricates  it 
— instantly  her  mood  changes) 

Thou  clumsy  fellow! — couldst  not  see  it,  say? 

My  God,  if  thou  hadst  ruined  it!  — 

What  had  I  worn  at  the  grand  feast  to-morrow? 

I'm  all  a-tremble  still  and  half  distracted 

O'er  the  mere  thought! — Canst  only  stand  and 
stare? 

Thou  dost  not  care — I  see  if  in  thy  looks — 

Though,  really,  I  believe  the  train's  all  crum 
pled!  [Down  on  her  knees  to  examine  it. 

185 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

ATHELW. 
Hah, — look  not  for  mercy  here! — Rave  o'er  her 

robe, 

But  coldly  moralize  o'er  a  girl's  destruction! — 
Concerned  no  more  than  curiosity  prompted. 
What's  hers — the  least  outweighs  another's  life! 
It  comes  in  time. — 0  Night!   where  hidest  thou 
Offa?  [To  the  window  again. 

ELF.  (looking  up) 

Sweet,  honey  love,  if  I  should  meet  the  King 
Dost  think  he'd  really  like  me? — Oh,  grant  he 

may! 

I'll  use  him  as  ne'er  man  was  used  by  woman, 
I'll  purge  him  of  his  gallant  disposition, 
I'll  bring  him  to  my  feet  with  coy  demureness, — 
There  kill  him  with  disdain. 

[Busy  still  with  the  dress. 
ATHELW. 

Hah — wouldst  thou? — It  breeds  already! 
Here's  that  old  presumption  which  fills  brothels. 
ELF.  (getting  up  at  length) 
How  do  I  look,  my  love? — Does  it  become  me? 
[Flings  the  gown  sparkling  with  jewels  over 

her  person  and  poses  before  him. 
ATHELW. 
Thou   look'st   the   QUEEN   thou   art,   or   rightly 

should'st  be. 
O  fool,  fool,  fool,  fool! 

[Exit  with  gestures  of  despair. — ELFRIDA 
looks  after  him  wonderingly,  then  sinks  in  a 
chair  buried  in'  thought.  Presently,  with  a 
toss  of  her  unbound  hair  and  a  light  laugh, 
she  goes  to  bed — which  ends  the  scene. 

186 


Scene  III.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ACT  V,  SCENE  III. — Before  a  dismantled  out 
house.— A  flash  of  lightning  reveals  ATHEL- 
WOLD  in  the  doorway,  clad  in  his  rich  silks  and 
velvets. — The  rain,  falling  in  torrents,  beats  on 
his  head  unheeded. 

ATHELW.* 


[A  cur  snarls  within. 


[Plunges  into  the  darkness. 

•Gentle  reader,  weary  of  soliloquies,  the  author  leaves 
this  to  thy  own  imagination. 

187 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

ACT  V,  SCENE  IV.— Before  OSBURGA'S  cave.— 
KING  EDGAR  and  retinue  on  the  scene: — in  the 
background,  ROWENA  with  her  child,  OSBUR- 
GA,  RODA,  the  OLD  SAXON,  REDWALD  and 
HAKO —  the  latter  a  prisoner. 

KING  EDGAR  (giving  a  parcel  to  a  noble) 
This   bundle  to  the   castle: — be   thou   close- 
mouthed,     (exit  NOBLE) 
Wild  spot! — strange  stories  fill  thy  solitude, 
But  stranger  legends  still  may  grow  from  them: 
A  tale  of  deep  and  stubborn  heartlessness, 
Of  furious  lust,  self-damning  perfidy; 
A  tale  of  craft  o'er-spinning  cunning  toils, 
With  retribution  swift  and  terrible — 
The  fate  but  darkly  hinted  yet  adumbrant, — 
With  these  shall  legend  link  a  monarch's  folly, 
And  superstition  chronicle  th'  issue. 

(Pulls  out  a  ring  and  reading  repeats:  — 
"Losel,  losel,"  etc.) 

Human  contrivance  fulfills  om'nous  proph'cies!  — 
Methinks  this  idle  rhyme  may  serve  some  pur 
pose.  (  to  ATT.) 

Fetch  hither  all  ye  found  upon  the  brigands. 
[ATTEND,   brings  a  bag   to  the  KING:— he 
opening  it,  out  fall  a  skull,  a  dagger  and 
some  ashes. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Hah,  murder's  tokens! — Whose  bones  are  these? 

[To  HAKO. 
HAKO  (defiantly) 
Put  me  in  Olgar's  castle  and  I'll  answer  thee. 

ATTEND.  Here's  more  rubbish:  — 

188 


Scene  V.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Will't  please  your  highness  view  these  mumming 
shifts?  [Opening  another  bundle. 

KING  EDGAR  (turning  over  the  articles) 
Seven   devil's   masks! — some   monkish   players' 

spoils. 
What  use  couldst  thou  make  of  them,  robber? 

[To  HAKO. 

HAKO  (with  a  wild,  free  air) 
What,  may  not  poor  hinds  entertain  their  betters? 
We  planned  some  merriment  at  the  castle,  my 

masters, 

And  were  on  the  way  when  ye  fell  foul  of  us, — 
Now  make  what  use  ye  will  of  them. 
KING  EDGAR. 

Humph! — fellow,  come  hither — walk  apart  with 
me. 
[The  KING  converses  with  HAKO.  Scene  ends. 

ACT   V,    SCENE   V.— The   same.— KING   EDGAR 

solus. 

KING  EDGAR   (with  gestures  and  motions  indi 
cating  inward  fury) 

He  dies! — all  things  come  handily  to  my  will, — 

He  dies! 

O  King,  thou  topp'st  all  dupes — fond,  credulous 
fool!  — 

Ay,  there  it  stings—contempt  o'er-venoms  wrongs. 

She's  beautiful, — a  thousand  tongues  affirm  it; 

He's  cropped  her  bloom--hah,  madd'ning  thought! 

Had  he  ten  thousand  lives  ten  thousand  deaths 

Were  incomplete  revenge: — he  hath  enjoyed  her. 

I'd  cut  his  gorge  myself  with  right  good  relish, 

189 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  V, 

But  that  would  trumpet  forth  my  pitiful  case, 
Fix  on  my  name  malignant  satire's  gibes, 
Make  me  the  butt  and  fling  of  after  ages: — 
Oh!    cuckold    and   wittol   soon   were   hon'rable 

names — 

No  old  man  wedded  to  an  am'rous  girl 
Should  be  mocked  more  were  Edgar's  story  pub 
lished. 
It  shall  not  be! — I'll  work  my  will  i'  the  dark. 

Enter    TWO    ATTENDANTS    with    KENRIC, 
struggling. 

FIRST  ATTEND. 
A  prize!    A  prize! 

SEC.  ATTEND. 
A  banished  man! — We  claim  the  King's  reward. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Kenric! — high-mettled  thane,  what  dost  thou 
here? 

We  meet  in  a  strange  place: — thy  life's  the  for 
feit. 
KEN. 

My  liege,  to  look  upon  her  face  once  more 

I  held  it  cheap  to  risk  the  life  thou  claim'st. 

Alas!    I  thought  not  here  to  meet  my  King. 

KING  EDGAR. 

Thou  mean'st  Elfrida — thane,  I  remember! 

Redwald  is  near  too; — 'twas  he  brought  me 
hither: 

An  accident  hath  somewhat  calmed  his  mood. 

Here  were  made  known  to  me  some  human  na 
tures 

190 


Scene  VI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Hateful  to  look  upon,   (to  ATT.)   Unhand  him, 

sirrahs! 
Away!    (exeunt  ATT.)   My  good  Kenric,  I  pity 

thee, — 
Hark'ee,  if  thou  dost  serve  me  I  may  pardon. 

[Exeunt,  the  KING  talking  earnestly. 


ACT  V,  SCENE  VI.— OLGAR'S  castle.— An  ante 
chamber  leading  into  the  banquet-hall. — Voices 
and  the  sound  of  musicians  tuning  their  instru 
ments  heard  from  within.  Servants  laden  with 
great  burdens  of  drink  and  viands  cross  and  re- 
cross  continually. — Guests  beginning  to  arrive, — 
visible  in  the  corridor. — Finally  when  the  room 
is  empty 
Enter  ATHELWOLD. 

ATHELW.  (wearily) 

WHERE'S  Off  a? — the  castle's  dead  without  him. 
No  hint,  no  clue,  no  forebode! 
Gone,  vanished  like  a  cloud  of  smoke  at  mid 
night, 

He's  left  me  to  my  fate,  unknown  his  own. 
Three  days  ago  I  scarce  could  take  ten  paces 
Within,  without,  ere  I  encountered  him. 
Great  God! 

How  like  our  lives  tc  shadows  on  a  screen, 
That  dance  and  gyrate  on  a  summer's  day, — 
Cast  by  a  swarm  of  buzzing,  saucy  flies, 
Too  frisk  and  wanton  in  the  beam  of  noon:  — 
Idly  we  watch,  and  wonder  at  their  motions, 
But  when  some  fitful  gust  obscures  the  sun, 
Alas! — what  happens? 

191 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

We  wink,  perhaps,  or  flip  an  ear,  and  then 
We  gaze  again — ah  me! — the  gnats  are  gone, 
The  scene  is  blank. — Such  shadow-play's  our  life. 

Enter  a  SERVANT. 
SERV.  (giving  a  bundle) 

My  lord,  take  this:  — 

More  of  Offa  will  come  presently.  [Exit. 

ATHELW. 
Dog!  so  abrupt? — Here  slave,  come  back! — who 

gave't? 

He  slams  the  door — he's  gone! — They  wax  un 
ruly. 
What's  in  thy  belly,  sack? 

[Shakes  open  the  bundle: — out  drop  OFFA'S 
cassock,  crucifix  and  other  belongings.  He 
picks  them  up  and  holds  them  out  in  horror 
— a  note  flutters  to  his  feet.  He  reads: 

O   Thelwy,   flee! — Beware   of  the  feast — 
they  mean  thee  no  good — the  King  will  be 
there.    For  Heaven's  sake,  flee! 
How  can  she  know? — More  mystery  lurks  in  that, 
But  I'll  not  cudgel  my  wits  to  fathom  it, — 
No  time  for  riddles  now! — I  know  the  hand: 
She's  truth  itself  that  writ  these  lines — Rowena! 
And  dost  thou  stoop  to  save  me? — O  sweet  angel! 

(kissing  the  paper  passionately) 
O'er- whelming  goodness  of  a  woman's  heart!  — 
Hah— the  toil- 
Enter  ELFRIDA  in  royal  magnificence,  PAGES 

attending. 
ELF. 
Come,  my  love,  in! — impatiently  they  await  us. 

192 


Scene  VI.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

ATHELW. 

Oh,  do  they? — 

How  cheerfully  she  invites  me  to  my  death! 

ELF. 

What  rubbish  dost  thou  mutter? — The  guests  are 
assembled. 

ATHELW. 

The  guests? — Hah — do  thou  name  me  the  chief 
of  them:  — 

Where  sits  death? 

[Running  over  and  peering  into  the  banquet 
room. 
ELF. 

Death! 
ATHELW. 

At  the  right  hand  o'  the  host? — Most  excellent! 

'Tis  e'en  as  it  should  be — the  feast's  in  his  honor. 
ELF. 

In  death's  honor! 
ATHELW. 

Where  sits  lies? 
ELF. 

Lies? 
ATHELW. 

And  treason,  perjury,  lech'ry,  adult'ry? 

They're  at  all  banquets  where  rich  and  great 
gather, 

Ranking  Duke  Lickspit. 
ELF. 

Nay,  take  thy  place  and  thou  wilt  know,  perhaps! 
[Siveeps  into  the  banquet  hall. 

193 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

ATHELW. 

Oh,  truculent! — "Take  thy  place  and  thou  wilt 

know" — 
I  do,  I  will! — Still,  King,  I  wear  a  dagger! 

[Exit  after  her. 


ACT  V,  SCENE  VII  AND  LAST.— The  banquet- 
hall. — ELFRIDA  advancing  to  her  seat  amid  the 
applause  of  the  guests,  followed  immediately  by 
ATHELWOLD.— The  feast  is  spread  in  a  great 
Gothic  chamber,  illuminated  by  numerous  can 
delabra,  but  dimly;  the  walls  are  hung  with  tap 
estry  of  a  somber  hue,  little  relieved  by  festoons 
of  flowers  wreathed  over  trophies  of  war  and 
the  chase. — Music  playing; — on  a  small  stage  a 
little  remote  jugglers  and  mountebanks  perform 
ing. — Servants  flitting  to  and  fro  among  the 
mixed  company. — The  buzz  of  merry  voices  and 
music  subside  as  OLGAR,  seated  at  the  head  of 
the  board  beside  the  COUNTESS,  rises  and 
waves  his  hand. 

OLGAR  (he  hath  tippled  somewhat  already) 
Welcome,  my  noble  guests! — Welcome,  kind 

friends! 

Zounds!  I  could  weep — this  is  the  parting-feast — 
But  there's  a  gen'rous  joy  in  hospitality 
Forbids  the  tear,  e'en  though  we  lose  our  daugh 
ter: 

The  bridegroom  bears  his  booty  home  to-night. 
Ah,  rogue! — to  steal  my  child,  my  lovely  girl!  — 
What  arts  didst  thou  employ? — We  hang  a  thief, 
But  love  commits  house-breaking  and  marauding 

194 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

Without    e'en    reprimand: — 'twas    youth's    first 

offense, 

Heired  from  the  jocund  hours  of  being's  dawn, — 
'Twill  be  youth's  last,  though  spring  and  moon 
beams  fail. 
Alack!    —  what  man  is  guiltless?     Sires  have 

caused 
Such    partings    in   their   time,  —  I    know't,   my 

friends! 

And  it  is  vain  to  cry  out  vengeance  on  him 
When,  luckless,  I  must  plead  to  culprit  judges;  — 
Nor  will  we  trust  the  case  to  bachelors'  envy, 
All  emulous  of  the  crime,  but  pusillan'mous. 
Heyday!     God  speed  ye,  couple! 
Let  stock-fish  continence  hug  its  withered  sides, 
And  dream  of  agues! — youth  and  warm  blood 

needs  comp'ny 

When't   goes   to   bed: — my   blessing   on't's   pro 
ceedings! 
None  need  blush 

For  that  which  makes  the  Creator's  plans  endur 
ing. 

Hark  ye! — I'll  pose  ye,  wise-heads: — 
There  is  a  common  wish  in  bridegrooms'  hearts, 
And  some  brides  share't — not  all — fy!     I'll  not 

tell't— 
But,   yes!     I   will — when   eve   draws   nigh,   my 

hearers, 

On  the  eventful  day, 

If  any  elf,  kind  sprite  or  great  magician 
Could   grant  his   wish,   what  would  the  bride 
groom  ask? 


195 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

Now  bachelors,  blush! — what  would  the  bride 
groom  ask? 

Widows,  ye  know't — what  would  the  bridegroom 
ask? 

The  first  day,  mark! — what  would  the  bride 
groom  ask? 

(Lord  Athelwold  told  it  me  a  week  ago, 

But,  so  long  married,  now  perhaps  denies  it) 

What  would  the  bridegroom  ask? — An  arctic 
night, 

Zounds! 

With  morning  six  months  off  and  slow  a-dawn- 
Ing — 

Ha,  ha,  ha!  — that's  what  the  bridegroom  asks. 

We  drink  the  King's  health,  gentles! 

[Cup-bearers  ply  their  offices. 

ATHLW. 
The  host  that  borrows  our  throats  doth  buy  our 

ears, 
And  pours  what  he  lists  in  both, — this  custom 

grants — 
Make  a  wry  face  who  durst! — But  the  jest's 

happy: — 

Lord  Olgar  puts  a  riddle  prettily, 
And  yet,  I'll  warrant,  an  his  lordship  knew 
What  scarce  his   dreams  trench  on,  a  certain 

bridegroom 
Whom  he  well  likes,  should  have  his  heartiest 

wish 

For  more  than  six  months'  slumber. — Ho,  ho,  ho! 
Upon  my  soul,  my  merry  compotators, 
I  love  my — father-in-law! — and  toast  his  health 

196 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

With  right  good  will.    Oh,  excellent,  excellent! 
May  his  jokes  live  long  too!  [Cup-bearers. 

Enter  a  PAGE. 
PAGE. 

Lord  Olgar,  some  players  wait  thy  will  below: — 
They'll  entertain  the  company,  with  thy  leave. 
OLGAR. 

Let  them  come  on  then  when  the  feast's  more  to 
ward,  (exit  PAGE) 

Music,  strike  up!— And  some  young  cavalier  sing. 
[Lively  music. — Cup-bearers. 

DRINKING    SONG. 

Drain  the  bowl!   Fill  again!   Come,  maid  at  my 

side, 
Touch  the  Up  with  thine  own, — ho!  wassail  the 

bride. 
We  will  drink  to  her  eyes  while  they  sparkle  like 

thine, 
And  we'll  quit — when  they  set  in  the  fumes  of 

the  wine! 
Come,  sweetheart,  once  more! — this  kiss  is  for 

me, — 

I'm  as  good  as  the  cup ! — nay,  maiden,  "be  free. 
Lone  hearts  sigh  o'er  the  rose  with  the  myrtle 

entwined, 
But  a  bird  whispers  hope  when  another's  grows 

kind. 
Drain  the  bowl!   Fill  again!   Come,  maid  at  my 

side, 
Touch  the  lip  with  thine  own, — ho!  wassail  the 

bride. 

197 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

CHORUS  OF  YOUNG  THANES. 

Lone  hearts  sigh,  etc. 
SEMI-CHORUS  OF  OLD  THANES. 
Drain  the  bowl!  Fill  again!   Will  we  never  get 

drunk f 

Ah!  prod  me  that  rogue  in  oblivion  there  sunk! 
What,  traitor!  so  soon? — Thou  affront' st  our  good 

cheer, 
And  shalt  drink  as  a  penance  ten  mugs  of  small 

beer. 

[The  cup-bearers  crowd  round  an  old  thane, 
pretending  him  to  be  the  offender — he  pro 
testing,  all  laughing.  In  the  midst  of  this 
merriment  enter  one  clad  in  a  monk's  habit, 
with  a  devil's  face: — this  figure  marches 
directly  up  to  ATHELWOLD  and  lays  on 
the  table  before  him  an  object  covered  with 
a  black  cloth. 
A  GUEST. 

Peace,  noisy  thanes,  peace!     See,  the  play  opens. 
OLGAR  (disapprovingly) 

Too  soon! 
THE  MASK  (to  ATHELW.) 

Behold,  my  lord! 
I  bring  the  good  friend  for  whom  thy  bowels 

yearn: — 
Welcome  Offa  to  the  feast  he  made  for  thee. 

[Pulls  the  pall  away,  revealing  a  death's  head,. 
ATHELW.    (clutching  the  MASK) 

Dread  shape! — what  art  thou? 
Man  or  black  fiend  from  Hell,  I  charge  thee  an 
swer! 

198 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

[The  MASK  shakes  him  off  and  exit,  laughing 
sardonically. 

OLGAR. 

What,  thane,  so  wild? — Pooh,  'tis  only  mumm'ry! 
What,  thane,  what,  I  say! 

[Restraining  ATHELW.,  who  starts  after  the 

MASK. 
ATHELW. 

No  more  oft,  then! — 'Tis  uncanny  foolery. 

(shaking) 

Ho!  bring  me  wine. 
OLGAR. 

A  play  so  daunt  thy  spirits,  noble  Athelwold? 
Let  them  go  on. — What  ho!    cup-bearers,   more 

wine! 
Humph! — what  inscription's  here?  (picks  up  the 

skull  and  reads)  "I  WAS  OFFA!" 
ELF. 

Horrible,  horrible!     Alas!  what  tends  this  to? 
OLGAR. 

Nay,  it  takes  on  a  serious  aspect. — oh, 

'Tis  writ  in  red,  too! — His  own  blood,  mayhap. 

"I  WAS  OFFA!" 

ALFRED. 

'Tis  Offa's  head,  my  lord! 

I  know  it  by  the  side  fangs. 
ELF. 

And  I. 
OLGAR. 

Truly,  I  fear  it  is. — 

Fire  seems  to  have  partly  consumed  it. 

199 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  V, 

ATHELW. 

Give  it  me,  Lord  Olgar — damnation! — no? — 

What,  zounds! — hah, — heavens  and  earth! 

[Secures  the  head. 
OLGAR. 

The  others  come  on  now,  look! — Ho,  ho,  ho! 

Watch  the  play,  my  lord. — Marry,  the  rascals! 

'Tis  clever  make-believe. 

Enter  a  group  of  DEVILS.* 
ATHELW. 

It  wrecks  my  nerves. — Do  thou  ask  why  they 

come, 
What  ghastly  theme  portray — I  like  it  not. 

(aside) 
Can  it  be  the  King's  contriving? 

[He  lays  down  the  head. 
OLGAR. 

Marry,  they  took  a  start  out  of  me,  too. 
What  are  ye,  devil-maskers?        [To  the  players. 
FIRST  DEVIL. 

The  devils  of  Lodbrog's  ring,  if  ye  will — fiends 
come  to  fulfill  a  prophecy.  Or  ye  may  know  us 
as  the  horned  seven  that  love  Athelwold,  the 
bridegroom. 


*The  latter  part  of  the  last  scene  of  the  last  act,  where 
the  devils — originally  seven — enter,  became  unwittingly  In 
the  first  draught  an  Imitation  of  the  interrogation  of  the 
Seven  Deadly  Sins  by  Faustus,  in  Marlow's  play  of  that 
name.  This  tragedy  the  author  had  not  seen  for  years,  and 
before  the  coincidence  dawned  on  him  Olgar  had  already 
be-dialogued  all  seven  devils ; — the  text,  however,  was  im 
mediately  cut  down  into  the  form  in  which  it  now  ap 
pears  in  The  Faithless  Favorite, — further  than  thia  the 
conscience  of  the  author  did  not  urge  him  to  go.  The 
item  is  given  for  what  it  is  worth, — as  a  proof  merely 
that  the  human  mind  is  a  fiddle  on  which  new  performers 
will  occasionally  scrape  some  of  the  notes  of  an  old  tune. 

200 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

[The   DEVILS    donee   about  ATHELWOLD'S 
chair. 

OLGAR. 

Lodbrog's  ring? — Again  that  old  heirloom! 
Whence  got  ye  the  idle  tale  of  Lodbrog's  ring?  * 
Well  I  recall  that  prophecy:  —  (repeats  "Losel, 

losel,"  etc.) 
Elfrid,  that  ring  thou  gav'st  unhappy  Redwald. 

ELF. 

I  gave  it  him  in  jest  to  prove  traditions, — 
Pooh! 

OLGAR. 

In  youth  we  flout  tradition,  saw  and  precept, 
But,  growing  old,  industriously  add  to  them. 

(the  DEVILS  stop  dancing) 
Now  for  th'  infernal  roll-call: — hark! — attention! 
What  wast  thou  in  front,  born  devil  or  earth-son? 

FIRST  DEVIL. 

Earth-son  I,  of  the  type: — a  handsome,  young 
gallant,  concupiscential,  intemperate,  given 
night  and  day  to  wh dom  and  adultery — be 
traying,  dishonoring,  debauching,  mocking  all 
virtue.  But  at  last  I  stole  the  King's  mutton 
and  was  hung  for  it.  My  lines  are  done; — I'll 
kiss  the  bride  now,  by  your  leave,  and  begone 
to  some  kind  maid's  bed. 


*King  Regnar  Lodbrog,  the  warrior-poet  of  the  Danes, 
so  cruelly  put  to  death  by  the  Northumbrians,  is  the  sub 
ject  of  many  legends  and  superstitious  stories.  We  have 
already  noted  the  "Raven,"  the  victory-ushering  banner 
vested  with  magical  powers  presumably  by  reason  of  having 
been  made  by  his  daughters.  Thence  is  it  that  the  pro 
phetic  ring  of  this  play  is  whimsically  associated  with  his 
name  ; — it  has,  of  course,  no  basis  in  history. 

201 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  Act  V, 

OLGAR. 

That  thou  shalt  not,  filth — stand  back,  pestilence! 
And  what  wast  thou,  the  second? 
SEC.  DEVIL. 
A  priest — but  I'll  not  speak  a  word  more  without 

wine: — I  have  not  lately  been  to  communion. 

Do  thou  read  this  aloud,  my  lord;  my  breath's 

stinted. 

[Takes  a  paper  out  of  the  skull's  mouth  and 

hands  it  to  OLGAR. 
OLGAR  (reads) 
He  confesses:    ''three  murders — Ina  and  the  two 

peasants."    This  I,  Hako,  saw. 
He  confesses:    "putting  up  Athelwold  to  steal  the 

King's  bride-elect,  the  Lady  Elfrida,  thinking 

to  command  her  fortune." 
He  confesses:     "putting  Rowena,  Hako's  sister 

and  Athelwold's  WEDDED  WIFE,  in  a  mad-house, 

SANE." 

He  confesses:  "twenty  more  unspeakable  vil 
lainies  not  pertinent,  under  promise  that  it 
will  save  his  life." 

(signed)  Off  a  the  priest. 

Then  he  died.  (signed)  Hako  the  outlaw. 

ATHELW.  (aside) 

Now  may  he  be  the  King!   (aloud) 

Excellent  devil! — thou  giv'st  the  cue — die  thou! 

Thou  know'st  too  much  to  live. 

[Kills  the  SECOND  DEVIL.— An  outcry. 
FIRST  DEVIL. 

A  vow,  a  vow!    Thou  mad'st  a  vow,  my  soul! 
[Stabs  ATHELWOLD — at  the  signal  the  other 
MASKS  fall  on  him  with  equal  fury. 

202 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

OLGAR. 

Help,  ho,  without!    Ho,  murder,  murder! 

[Uproar  and  tumult.  The  guests  close  in  on 
the  intruders,  and  OLGAR'S  retainers  run 
ning  in  at  his  cry,  some  of  them  rush  out 
and  escape: — those  that  remain  are  soon 
finished. 
A  NOBLE  (unmasking  a  body) 

Look,  my  lord,  look! — this  devil's  Redwald. 
ANOTHER  (ditto) 
This  Kenric.     . 
OLGAR. 

What! — they  our  enemies? 

They  have  their  deserts  then — cover  them.  Alas! 

Vengeance  plans  bloody  deeds— 0  fell  conspiracy! 

Enter    KING  EDGAR    disguised,    leading    in 

ROWENA  with  her  child. 
ROW.    (a  moment  speechless,  then  shrieks) 
Too  late,  too  late!    O  King,  he's  dead,  he's  dead! 

(rushing  to  ATHELWOLD,  etc.,  etc.) 
See,  see,  he's  dead!    0  bloody,  fatal  issue! 
Was  this  thy  promise,  brother  fell  as  death? 

(starts  up  ivith  a  poniard  in  her  hand) 
False  King! or  thine?  (shaking  it  at  him)  Alas! 

for  human  hopes 
And  human  plans! — 0  babe,  my  babe,  my  babe! 

(falls  on  her  knees) 

There's  no  deceit  in  this!  (stabs  her  child)  No!  — 
none — none — none!  [Kills  herself. 

OLGAR. 

Tis  mad  Meg. — Alack!  mad  Meg  no  more: 
Death  cures  that  too.    I  am  somewhat  dazed — 

203 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  V, 

The  prophecy  nears  fulfillment: — six  He  dead, 

And  yon's  the  skull — 
KING  EDGAR. 

An  agency  above  our  will  impels  us 

To  acts  perverse,  to  consummate  our  fate. 

Oh!  cover  them  all  up  and  hear  me. 
OLGAR. 

Who  art  thou,  fellow  with  her?    Masked  foes 
abound — 

Ho!  seize  him.         [Several  start  for  the  KING. 

KING  EDGAR  (unmasking) 

I  am  the  King!  (they  fall  back) 
Go,  revelers,  fetch  ye  pall  and  funeral  robes, 
And  turn  your  jocund  notes  to  dirge  and  plaint, 
Mourning   her   death   whose   form   yet   quivers 

yonder: 
Alas,    her    story    is    most    pitiful!       (turns    to 

OLGAR) 
Unmannerly   thane,   we   came   to   right    some 

wrongs, 
But   death   prevents   in   part. — She   that   bleeds 

there 

Was  wedded  to  the  false  and  perjured  villain 
Erstwhile  our  fav'rite — e'en  faithless  Athelwold. 
Unhappy  damsel! 

Her  mad  precipitance  balks  justice's  ends. 
The  devilish  spider's  dead  that  spun  the  web 
Whose  mesh  caught  bigger  flies,  not  less  unwary. 
Oh!  — thou  shalt  wonder,  thane,  another  time — 
Narrative's  out  of  place  where  death  holds  revel: 
Suffice  the  King  asserts,  nor  strong  proofs  lack 
ing, 

204 


Scene  VII.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

All  that  thou  read'st  is  true. 
OLGAR. 

O  King,  his  wife? — Alas!  what's  then  my  child? 
KING  EDGAR. 

Thou  touch'st  the  quick,  (devouring  ELFRIDA) 

O!  she's  as  beautiful  as  an  orient  morning — 

Report,  which   rates  her  high,   falls  short  th' 
orig'nal. 

Hark  thou,  thane! 

The  traitor-villain  wrought  a  multiple  wrong, 

Thou  know'st  but  part: — Oh!  at  his  sovereign's 
mandate 

He  came  to  thee — to  make  thy  child  my  Queen — 

Not  for  himself  he  came  but  for  his  King. 

What  is  she  now? — Alas!  [He  sighs. 

ELF.  (with  spirit) 

Why,  good  my  liege,  under  your  gracious  favor, 

A  Saxon  maid! — I'll  swear't  upon  the  book. 
OLGAR. 

Saxon  chastity  and  maidenly  reluctance, 

My  lord — 
KING  EDGAR. 

She  is  my  Queen,  then — now,  that  prophecy! 

It  needs  but  this. — Oh,   I  believe  ye!    (repeats 
"Losel,"  etc.) 

'Tis  most  curiously  fulfilled — how,  balks  conjec 
ture. 

Here's  a  ring  with  a  legend,  my  lord — (to  OL.) 

know'st  it? 
OLGAR.  What,  thou  hast  it? 

An   heirloom   fabled   to    come   from    Lodbrog's 
finger. 

Three  months  ago,  in  girlish  sportiveness, 

205 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  Act  7, 

Elfrida  gave  it  to  a  teazing  thane, 
Misdoubting  fate  and  malign  influences, 
And  thus  it  comes  again — 
KING  EDGAR. 

Excellent  thane,  we  parley  over-long, 
Making  a  tragic  theme  a  comedy. 
A  few  words  more  and  then  good  night: 
The  traitor  wore  my  signet  on  his  finger 
To  vouch  his  mission — ah!  'tis  there  yet. 

[The  KING  stoops  and  pulls  a  ring  off  ATHEL- 

WOLD'S  finger. 
OLGAR. 

Oh,  he  stirs! 
KING  EDGAR. 
Nay,  doth  he?  —  Excellent! — Ho!    dog,  hear'st 

thou? 

The  bride  is  mine,  villain — see!  I  claim  her. 
[Embracing  her,  the  KING  puts  his  ring  on 

ELFRIDA'S  finger. 
ATHELW. 
Thou — art — very — welcome. — O  Rowena! 

[Dragging  himself  towards  ROWENA'S  body 
with  this  wild  cry  on  his  lips,  ATHELWOLD 
falls  over  and  expires. 
AN  ATTEND,  (after  a  pause) 

Here's  one  yet  alive,  my  lord — 
Though  at  the  last  gasp. 
KING  EDGAR  (stooping) 

'Tis  the  outlaw — now,  sirrah!  what  of  Offa? 
Thou  didst  promise  to  reveal  his  fate — how  died 

he? 

HAKO  (turning) 
Ha,  ha,  ha!  [Dies. — Here  the  tragedy  ends. 

206 


EPILOGUE.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE 

•\ 

EPILOGUE. 


Enter  the  TWO  OFFICERS. 
THE  LONG  ONE. 

THE  WATER  BEING   COLD 

THE  SHORT  ONE. 

Desist,  villain.  O  Lord!  thou  hast  been  three 
acts  and  twenty-odd  scenes  telling  thy  imperti 
nent  story,  and  art  not  done  bathing  the  widow 
yet. 

T.  L.  O. 

Ha,  ha,  ha!  Has  the  audience  fared  better? 
Look! — they  prick  up  their  ears,  seeing  me:  — 
lewdness  by  innuendo  makes  even  chaste 
minds  prurient.  LADIES  AND  GENTLEMEN!  — 

[The  other  stops  his  mouth. 

Enter  an  ACTOR  in  deshabille,  with  the  mask 
and  costume  of  OFFA,  trailing. 

ACTOR  (sings) 

Fol,  de  rol,  dol! — Why,  ho  there! — what  the 
deuce — the  play's  done. — Oh,  ten  thousand  par 
dons! 

[Catching  sight  of  the  audience  he  would  re 
tire,  but  the  others  hold  him. 

T.  L.  O. 
Ah!  my  story  shall  be  the  epilogue. 

T.  S.  O. 

O  Lord!  [Runs  off. 

207 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  EPILOGUE. 

ACTOR. 

Epilogue?  That  belongs  to  the  COUNTESS  OF  DEV 
ONSHIRE,  our  excellent  mother-in-law-supposed- 
to-be  and  model  for  women.  Poor  COUNTESS! 
— she  has  not  a  word  in  the  whole  play. 

Enter  the  COUNTESS  with  THE  SHORT  ONE 
by  the  ears. 

COUNTESS. 

Such  is  the  malice  of  men!  What  do  these  worth 
less  fellows  here?  Usurp  my  epilogue,  too?  No 
more,  then — we'll  have  no  epilogue.  View  the 
play  as  ye  see  fit,  my  hearers, —  (courtesying) 
and  hiss  as  ye  have  ability  to  judge.  God  have 
mercy  on  us!— I  know  there  are  excellent  heads 
among  ye — sober,  earnest  men  who  go  gravely 
about  a  fornication.  Ah! — I  hear  them. — "Why 
were  those  rascals  put  on  at  all!"  True,  why? 
— Talkative  clowns! — what  parts  had  they? — • 
None.  "Detain  the  audience,  too,  that  never 
entertained  them!"  Egregious  fault! — But,  ah! 
it  helps  verisimilitude: — out  on  the  great  stage, 
in  all  walks  of  life,  are  many  supercargoes, 
who,  doing  nothing,  cumber  the  scenes — and 
keep  on  talking  after  the  PLAY  is  over. 

[Exeunt  omnes. 


208 


POST-FACE.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

POST-FACE : 

or, 
A  BOLUS  FOR  DIGESTION. 


I. 

Reader,  hast  thou  a  ruling  passion?  In  shame 
and  secrecy  hast  thou  fostered  it  many  years;  un 
rewarded,  hast  thou  yet  labored  for  it;  made  miser 
able  by  it,  hast  thou  yet  loved  it — thy  being,  nook 
and  cranny,  filled  with  devotion  akin  to  ecstacy? 
Disappointed,  hast  thou  seen,  as  it  were,  the  sun 
blotted  from  thy  firmament? — Baffled,  hast  thou 
lived  unconquered;  anguished  in  spirit,  hast  thou 
returned  yet  again  wittingly  to  disappointment? 
Hast  thou  done  these  things  not  knowing  thou  wast 
strong  in  the  true  faith,  but  reproaching  thy  own 
weakness?  Hast  thou  done  these  things  inevitably 
as  the  water  tumbling  from  the  great  height — 
knowing  not,  determining  not  its  own  course? 
Hast  thou  done  them  like  Socrates,  deeming  divin 
ity  within  thee — the  stirrings  of  a  great  purpose 
agitating  the  passionate  soul? 

Hast  thou  been  a  stranger  in  thine  own  land, 
alien  in  thine  own  city,  solitary  in  the  midst  of  the 
concourse — a  thing  apart,  of  another  time,  another 
place?  Gloomy,  diffident  and  unhappy  from  thy 
intellectual  dawn,  yet  in  another's  eyes  but  proud, 
illiberal  or  uncouth — hath  at  times  the  great  wear 
iness  stolen  over  thee? 

209 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  POST-FACE. 

Then  may'st  thou,  perhaps,  understand  the  au 
thor;  then  may'st  thou,  perhaps,  read  the  book. 
But  if,  knowing  none  of  these  things,  thou  art  one 
living  shallowly  in  the  over-insistent  and  extuber- 
ant  now;  if  thou  only  fillest  thy  nostrils  with  the 
sweet,  delusive  scent  of  the  nosegay  of  life — pluck 
ing  away  the  petals  of  thy  years  contentedly  obliv 
ious  of  the  meaning  of  all — then  get  thee  again  to 
thy1  romance  and  read  not  these  pages.  Reader — 
but  stop!  Perhaps  I  discourse  only  to  a  vision — 
turn  we  to  the  reality,  poor  as  it  may  be. 

II. 

Why  art  thou,  book?  How  and  why  didst  thou 
come  out  of  the  womb  of  nothing,  taking  form  from 
what  has  not  form,  substance  from  what  has  not 
substance,  pulse,  passion  and  motion  from  what 
has  not  pulse,  passion  or  motion?  Why  didst  thou 
not  become  a  novel? — Art  willing  to  meet  with 
neglect  from  levity,  misconception  from  ignorance, 
detraction  from  malignity?  Dost  thou  think,  per 
haps,  to  escape  those  things  autochthonous  to  the 
cipher — the  unsexed  woman's  mind,  the  magazine 
literator  and  the  couranto  smatter-wit?  And  if 
thou  dost  not,  offending  this,  the  triumvirate  of 
the  modern  intellectual  world  by  thy  robustness, 
how  canst  thou  hope  to  escape  being  pilloried? 
Will  not  thy  fate  be  utterly  forlorn  and  pitiful? 

But,  ah,  somewhere  —  O! — somewhere  amongst 
the  unoracular  majority;  somewhere  amongst  the 
innumerable  obscure — feeling  still  is  feeling — and 
not  sentiment;  passion  still  passion — and  not  ero 
ticism;  thought  still  thought  —  and  not  dictum; 

210 


POST-FACE.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE. 

ignorance  still  ignorance  —  and  not  prose  fiction. 
Literatus  or  enlightened  proletarian,  wherever 
thou  art,  before  the  tribunal  of  thy  fair  mind  I 
plead  and  make  my  charges. 

The  novel,  the  magazine  and  the  leveling  incu 
bus — club,  guild,  society,  association,  congress,  call 
it  what  ye  please — these  are  the  prime  sources  of 
our  homunculism  in  literature,  art  and  philosophy; 
the  magazine,  as  now  conducted,  being  the  chief 
abomination — e'en  the  age's  handy  midwife  for  all 
ditch-begotten  issue.  Hath  a  man  a  glimmering  of 
an  idea? — Let  him  seek  it  in  vain,  tumbling  down 
five  thousand  words  in  his  desperate  struggles  for 
light;  and,  having  failed  to  find  it,  take  his  galli- 
matia  and  send  it  to  a  magazine — where  it  belongs 
— and  it  will  be  welcomed  as  "available,"  ripe  and 
timely — provided : 

The  perpetrator  is  rich, 

hunts  bears, 

"  holds  or  held  office, 

owns  a  yacht, 
belongs  to  clubs, 
is  an  actor, 

buys,  or  has  friends  that  buy,  ad 
vertising  space, 
*s  wife  divorced  him, 
's    daughter   married    an    European 

leper, 

's  wife  invited  the  editor's  wife, 
knows  dialect  better  than  English, 
is  not  really  guilty  of  thinking, 
is    not   really   capable   of   writing, 
etc.,  etc. 
211 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  POST-FACE. 

In  short,  anything,  everything  prevails  in  that 
quarter  except  poor,  negligible,  old-fashioned  merit. 
Merit  must  come  well  recommended,  like  a  foot 
man,  if  it  presumes  to  hope  for  even  an  impatient, 
perfunctory  hearing;  must  sit  without,  like  Samuel 
Johnson,  suffering  rebuff  and  contumely  while 
potsherd  greatness  entertains  lackey  or  prostitute. 
With  women,  mutatis  mutandis,  as  with  men: — but 
in  general,  the  accident  of  femality  in  this  gentle, 
gynecocratic  age  is  not  less  auspicious  than  was 
once  primogeniture  under  the  royal  purple. 

Should  the  bathologist,  favorably  circumstanced 
as  above  indicated,  desire  to  nuncupate  immediately 
he  can  deliver  his  flatulence  with  eclat  before  some 
society  or  congress  for  the  perpetuation  of  medioc 
rity — the  place  where  asses  bray  and  dominate 
while  merit  blushes  in  the  background. 

This  much  en  passant — leap  we  now  back  within 
our  own  hedge — let  us  limit  our  diffident  remarks 
to  literature. 

As  the  literaure  of  a  land  so,  too,  must  its  art  be 
— art,  that  subsidiary  birth  whose  votaries  dwell 
not  within  the  inner  temple;  that  handmaiden  who, 
lovely  though  she  be,  appeals  not  to  the  full  con 
clave  of  mind,  understanding  being  forever  slighted 
and  irreconcilable. 

Respecting  philosophy,  silence  is  pertinent: — in 
the  true  sense  of  great-hearted  wisdom  it  exists  not 
at  all  save  in  memory. 

The  novel  is  the  incestuous  monster  springing 
from  the  loins  of  Ignorance  cohabiting  with  Van 
ity: — incestuous  obviously,  since  none  will  deny 
that  the  twain  are  within  prohibited  degrees 

212 


POST-FACE.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

of  consanguinity. — Born  in  the  dark  ages,  its  re 
dundance  covers  the  earth: — novelists  are  the  lice 
of  literature  and,  like  all  vermin,  multiply  prodig 
iously.  Vanity  is  an  harlot  that  goes  to  bed  with 
many  strange  humors: — outsides  change  or  are 
decked  up  differently,  as  caprice  or  fickleness  dic 
tate,  the  leprous  body  remains  leprous  forever — the 
grotesqueness  of  the  romance  hath  passed,  the  in 
sufferably  nauseous  monotony  and  barrenness  of 
the  puling  love  intrigue  remains. 

Language,  quoth  Talleyrand,  was  given  to  con 
ceal  thought — nay,  demur  I,  it  was  given  to  escape 
thinking: — cannot  an  average  novelist  write  forty 
pages  consecutively  without  once  lapsing  into 
thought?  Multiplicity  of  works  conjoined  with 
meagerness  of  wit,  imagination,  knowledge,  under 
standing — these  are  the  distinguishing  characteris 
tics  of  an  hodiernal  author: — honorable  word,  canst 
thou  really  be  synonymous  with  novelist?  He  has 
the  merit  of  fecundity? — Ay! — so  the  scrofulous 
mother  is  oft  the  most  fertile  of  women.  He 
writes  vehemently  and  abominably  under  the  in 
fluence  of  the  furor  scribendi,  never  because  there 
is  matter  in  his  mind  which  must  be  delivered, 
like  the  jocund  boy  gone  to  full  term  in  the  rejoic 
ing  bride's  matrix — the  true  origin  of  good  books. 
Alas! — it  is  only  with  the  novelist  like  the  wight 
with  dysentery: — both  go  oft  to  stool  yet  void  noth 
ing  but  slime.  We  will  not  forgive  him,  then,  for 
his  inveteracy: — the  more  hardened  the  criminal 
the  more  inexorably  let  him  be  judged. 

Another  characteristic  of  the  species  is  covetous- 
ness,  insatiability: — long  toying  with  the  mother, 

213 


THE  FAITHLESS  PAVOBITE.  POST-FACE. 

the  pseudo-biographlst  must  now  also  debauch  the 
daughter.  We  have  already  given  the  pedigree  of 
the  novel: — the  modern  stage  is  one  of  the  by- 
bairns  of  its  mother,  Mistress  Vanity,  begotten  on 
her  by  a  mask,  a  wig  or  a  dash  of  red  paint — 'tis 
uncertain  which. 

Miserable  and  barren  stage! — They  that  turn 
novels  into  plays  for  thee  are  impecunious  rogues 
who,  owning  but  one  piece  of  cloth,  must  needs 
have  both  cloak  and  coat  out  of  it.  Cunning  novel 
ists! — Ye  are  like  the  husbandman  in  the  famine — 
feeding  the  offal  of  one  pen  to  the  pigs  in  the  next 
sty.  Simple  public! — Who  are  the  pigs?  But  we 
leave  the  cloaca. 

III. 

Book,  it  is  obvious  why  thou  didst  not  become  a 
novel;  but,  ah,  how  principles  rob  us  of  shekels! 
Were  it  not  for  the  love  of  them  and  thee,  my  book, 
I  would  have  written,  with  the  assured  prospects 
of  becoming  rich,  a  far  different  work: — I  would 
have  written  Pucella  Hugboy: — or,  The  Curious 
History  of  One  Who  Had  Measles  and  Was  Happily 
Married  Ten  Years  Afterwards — A  Novel  Jejune 
a  la  Mode.  But  magnanimity  is  its  own  reward! 

My  book,  thou  art  speckled  with  faults,  like  a 
great  statesman's  policy  or  a  lovely  complexion 
under  a  lens.  I  will  name  them  as  I  see  them:  — 
to  the  extent  that  self-love  permits  perspicacity  to 
gaze  upon  its  own  back. 


214 


POST-FACE.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

[CATALOGUE  OF  FLAWS  AND  OBJECTIONS;  OB, 
A  HANDY  SYLLABUS  FOB  ZOILUS.] 

1. — That  the  thing  was  written  at  all. 

2. — Looseness  of  construction. 

3. — Archaisms. 

4- — Length. 

5. — Imitation. 

6. — Nastiness. 

7. — Ruggedness. 

8. — Impiety  and  blasphemy. 

9. — Turgidness. 

10. — Tautology,  battology,  perissology. 
11. — Olla-podridaism. 
12. — It  does  not  conform  to  the  unities. 
18. — It  is  not  as  good  as  Shakespeare's  "best. 
J.'i- — It  is  not  as  sublime  as  Aeschylus. 
15. — The  oft-reiterated  "ha-ha-has!" 
16.— Why  don't  it  tell  what  HAKO  did  to  OFFA? 
17.— Why  don't  it  finish  the  LONG  OFFICER'S 

story  f 

18.— Why  was  the  wrong  OUTLAW  hung? 
19. — Wasn't  that  inscription  too  long  for  a  ringf 
20. — What  does  "losel"  mean? 
21. — It  should  have  been  burnt  after  the  first  scene. 
22. — Was  the  author  ever  baptized? 
23— It   is   IMPOSSIBLE— the   COUNTESS   must 

have  said  something. 
24- — All  the  songs. 
25. — Epilogue's  too  long. 

26. — The  author  is  wise  to  use  a  privileged  charac 
ter  as  his  PROLOGUE — he  can  give  vent 

215 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVORITE.  POST-FACE. 

to  the  scurrility  seething  within  him  with 
out    being   held   accountable: — who   shall 

call  the  fool  to  task? 
27. — Larceny. 

28. — It  don't  rain  just  because  you  want  to  rhyme. 
29. — Why  didn't  he  steal  all  of  Marlowf 
SO. — Do  gypsies  buy  grown  girls  f 
SI. — Were  there  any  at  all  at  that  timef 
32. — Did  KING  EDGAR  have  a  palace  at  Londonf 
S3. — Isn't  Heaven  something  else  besides  "high"f 
34. — Was  the  werewolf  enchanted — or  just  a  big 

wolft 

85. — Are  hexameters  good  form  in  blank  verse  f 
36. — Why  didn't  he  use  INA'S  ghost? 
37. — Why  don't  he  let  OLGAR  sum  up  at  the  endf 
38. — Some  things  have  been  said  before. 
39. — Sterne  suggested  that  blank  scene. 
40. — Will  he  get  as  much  as  INULF — after  HAKO 

acted  f 

41. — Satire  should  be  plainer. 
42. — Dare  he  do  it  againt 
43. — Why  didn't  he  show  the  KING  in  his  palace 

pining  to  hear  from  ATHELWOLD? 
44.— Do.,  raging  over  ATHELWOLD'S  notef 
45. — Why  didn't  he  bring  Editha  or  Elfleda  into 

the  play? 
46 — God  forgive  the  printer  /man  never  will — nor 

woman. 
47. — If  put  on  the  stage,  would  it  be  over  in  three 

days? 

48. — Did  REDWALD  ever  hear  of  Zoroaster? 
49. — Did  ROWENA  ever  hear  of  Niobe? — Or  study 

ontology? 

216 


POST-FACE.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

50. — Why  didn't  he  make  OSBURGA  a  real  witch? 
51. — Were  the  TWO  OFFICERS  policemenT 
52. — He  had  Aesop  in  mind  in  that  first  scene. 
53.— Did  RBDWALD  really  have  coat,  cloak,  shirt 

and  breeches  t 

54. — Tom  Thimblewit? — Fudge! 
55. — A  mob  would  hardly  be  afraid  of  one  woman. 
56. — ATHELWOLD  comes  too  opportunely  there. 
57.— Was  OSBURGA  the  midwife? 
58. — HAKO'S  too  pseudo-poetical  for  a  robber. 
59. — The  world  may  be  too  small  for  a  woman's 

greed,  but  it's  too  big  for  her  lap. 
60.— OFFA'S  too,  TOO  bloody. 
61. — "Supernumerary  horrors." 
62. — What  did  INA'S  son  that  was  "set  over  the 

serfs"  do  about  it? 
63. — "A  Saxon  maid?" Well,   hardly — after  a 

week. 

64- — Ignorant  authors  WILL  use  mystery  to  cir 
cumvent  difficulties. 
65. — The  Saxons  were  rude,  but  never  as  rude  as 

this  lot. 

66. — Songs  are  supposed  to  possess  some  harmony. 
67.— ATHELWOLD    should    have    confessed    for 

dramatic  effect  just  before  entering  scene 

last. 

68. — Those  cup-bearers  are  not  busy  enough. 

69. — Even  mysteries  and  moralities  were  un 
known. 

70. — OLGAR'S  speech  is  too  rotten  even  for  one 
who  "hath  tippled  somewhat  already."  A 
post-prandial  witticaster  of  our  own  day 

217 


THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE.  POST-FACE. 

could  not  be  nastier  at  the  orgies  of  a 

party  of  bankers. 
71. — Is  it  certain  that  ROWENA  could  write — or 

ATHELWOLD  readf 

72. — Act  V,  Scene  IV. — ex  post  facto  vaticination. 
73. — Too  many  elisions. 
74. — ELFRIDA  too  shallow,  and  too  modernishly 

made. 

75. — Dogs  are  not  inspired. 
76.— Act  IV,  Scene  IV— ROWENA  too  iambically 

acatalectic  for  deep  grief. 
77. — Act  IV,  Scene  II — it  was  wrong  to  give  the 

MONKS    the   privilege  —  why   not   virago 

nunst 
78. — It   is   not   certain  what   is   meant   by  Lord 

Smallaxltree. 

79. — The  heart  speech  a  suggestion. 
80. — It  is  not  certain  but  what  the  COUNTESS 

says  is  the  best  IN  the  play. 

81. — The  ha-ha-has  are  probably  the  most  intelli 
gible  parts  of  the  dialogue. 
82. — Couldn't  any  one  else  know  "THELWY" — 

ATHELWOLD'S  pet  name? 
83. — He  evidently  killed  INA  to  avoid  bothering 

OFFA — and  himself — with  that  imbroglio 

in  the  later  scenes. 

84. — The  plot's  over-loaded  everywhere. 
85. — Ossa  heaped  on  Pelion — why  didn't  he  let  the 

KING  kill  ATHELWOLD  himself,  as  his 
tory  saith  he  didf 
86. — A   meeting    between   HAKO   and   ROWENA 

prior  to  Act  III  would  have  shown  the  true 

dramatist. 

218 


POST-FACE.  THE  FAITHLESS  FAVOBITE. 

87. — Making  a  letter-box  out  of  the  skull's  MOUTH 

comports  well  with  his  other  tricks. 
88. — Act  II,  Scene  I — it  is  not  certain  that  this  is 

a  perfect  parable  for  anybody. 
89. — "Five  acts  and  thirty-odd  scenes"  too  many. 
90. — Too  much  medical  lore. 
91. — The  author  is  evidently  a  disappointed  man. 
92. — The  author  is  evidently  a  spiteful  man. 
93. — The  author  is   evidently  a   misogynist  and 

misogamist. 

94- — The  author  is  evidently  an  envious  man. 
95. — "The  author!" — Is  he  an  author? 
96. — He  knows  nothing  of  drama. 
97. — He  knows  nothing  of  poetry. 
98. — He  knows  nothing  of  history. 
99. — -There  is  not  a  good  speech  in  the  play  save, 

as  already  remarked,  what  the  COUNTESS 

says  IN  it. 

100. — Anile  decrepitude. 
101. — Couldn't  ROWBNA  leave  it  in  the  cradle  once 

in  a  while  f 
102. — He  might  at  least  have  ended  happily — by 

stopping  at  the  first  scene! 


Heigh-ho! — We  will  let  the  critics  tell  the  rest;  — 
if  indeed  this  scheme  of  every  man  his  own  critic 
does  not  put  them  all  out  of  business. 


END  OF  THE  FAITHLESS   FAVOEITE. 


219 


SCHEDIASM. 


SCHEDIASM. 


(Detached  lines  and  paragraphs  scribbled  desulto 
rily,  as  the  term  implies,  on  loose  sheets  of 
paper.) 

MAN  is  a  captive  dwelling  in  a  prison-house  hav 
ing  five  windows  and  one  door;  and  this  postern, 
alas!  opens  only  when  the  walls  crumble  and  fall 
to  pieces.  One  comfort  have  we, — we  can  touch 
the  spring  of  destruction  whenever  we  list.  But, 
as  a  rule,  men  will  be  found  well  content  to  look 
out  of  the  little  windows  the  allotted  number  of 
years,  and  to  put  up  betimes  with  the  hard  fare, — 
seasoned,  it  may  be,  with  a  little  grumbling. 


LIKE  her  young  sister,  Art,  to  hireling  swine 

Hath  Letters  fall'n  a  prey,  once  trade  divine; 

And  in  an  age  which  false  ideals  deface 

To  fail's  success,  and  to  succeed,  disgrace: 

Hence,  like  Antisthenes,  suspect  thyself 

If  from  thy  time  come  friendship,  praise  or  pelf. 


WHO  feels  must  love  women  for  their  beauty, 
their  sprightliness,  their  self-sacrificing  tender 
heartedness;  who  thinks,  must  hate  them  for  their 
paltriness,  their  affectations,  their  falsehoods.  In 
short,  the  heart  goeth  out  to  women  for  what  na 
ture  hath  done  for  them,  the  understanding  ar 
raigns  them  for  what  they  do  to  themselves. 


GOOD  deeds  preach  well; — precept  without  example 
Plays  but  the  nagging  cur  at  the  steed's  heels. 

223 


SCHEDIASM. 

VALUE  not  anything  too  highly, — why  shouldst 
thou  be  disappointed?  Despise  not  anything  too 
utterly, — why  must  thou  be  unjust? 


DEEP  musing  doth  reveal  the  lore  of  God, — 
And  thou  canst  mine  more  poetry  in  thy  heart 
Than  ever  moonstruck  bard  did  mar  in  meter. 


A  CERTAIN  kind  of  wind,  making  its  exit,  fills  the 
air  with  nastiness; — vile  men  exposed,  making 
their  exit,  fill  the  air  with  calumnies. 


HE  plows  a  furrow  in  the  street 
Who  teacheth  lore  for  life  unmeet. 


THE  world,  with  its  uniform,  unrelieved  medioc 
rity  running  through  innumerable  inconsequential 
lives,  broken  only  at  long  intervals  by  the  epiphany 
of  a  great  man,  reminds  me  of  the  ocean,  which 
hides  countless  millions  under  a  surface  giving  no 
hint  of  it,  save  when  a  solitary  leviathan  rises  to 
strike  the  beholder  with  awe  and  astonishment. 


THE  politician's  like  the  wh — e, — who  fees 
Buys  favors: — like?    Nay,  I  disparage 
The  wh — e! — She  sells  her  own  wares,  not  the 
state's. 


THE  symptoms  of  decay: — a  failing  memory,  a 
cold  fancy  and  a  timid  heart. 


WHO  shuns  shoes  laughs  at  kibes, — 
Who  scorns  praise  defies  gibes. 

224 


SCHEDIASM. 

STAND  on  the  bridge  arching  the  waterway  of  a 
great  city — what  canst  thou  see?  The  GBEAT  TENT 
above;  diminutive  animal culae  flitting  about  below, 
incessantly  active;  houses,  quays,  boats,— the  works 
of  man  everywhere.  What  thoughts  come  to  thee 
here?  This  chiefly: — insignificant  and  impuissant 
as  man  is  in  the  scale  of  universal  grandeur,  God, 
looking  down  on  him  from  the  throne  of  infinitude, 
must  himself  marvel  greatly  at  the  cleverness  and 
diligence  of  the  little  earth-domineering  puppet. 
Yes!  I  cannot  but  believe  that  he  must  be  benevo 
lently  amused  and  well  pleased  with  our  works,  as 
done  under  natural  impulse,  despite  all  that  mor 
alists  and  hell-dreamers  prate  of. 


PURSUITS  ignoble  breed  ignoble  minds, — 

For,  howsoe'er  opposed,  our  thoughts  still  flow 

In  the  narrow  channel  of  our  daily  lives. 


LET  not  him  who  would  play  the  philosopher  rec 
ognize  his  own  age,  but  make  a  composite  of  all 
ages;  let  him  not  recognize  his  own  country,  but 
make  a  composite  of  all  countries — so  shall  he  find 
age  and  country. 


SHIFT  of  need  is  not  thy  deed. 


PHILOSOPHY  is  not  a  science,  but  all  sciences;  it 
is  not  an  art,  but  all  arts;  it  is  not  a  religion,  but 
all  religions;  it  is  not  a  cult,  but  all  cults. 


FANCY,  the  spendthrift  of  thought,  turns  the  key 
in  the  lock  of  existence  and  opens  up  all  its  treas- 

225 


SCHEDIASM. 

ures.  Reality  is  a  poorhouse  and  they  that  dwell 
in  it  are  paupers; — realism  in  letters  and  art  is 
only  jejunity. 


THE  bow  must  be  stretched  full  length, 
Or  the  shaft  will  not  speed; 

And  the  heart  must  be  in  the  work, 
Or  it  cannot  succeed. 


SLEEP  late, — weep  late. 


To  say  that  a  woman  flirts  means  that  she  sedu 
lously  catches  men  on  the  hook  of  concupiscence, 
and  then  gleefully  watches  'em  dangling  on't. 


FEAR  to  rue, — fear  to  do. 


VAIN  the  plying  of  the  pump  when  the  well  is 
dry, — vain  the  writing  without  the  deep  impulse. 


WELL  begun  is  half  done: — but  he  fares  ill  in  the 
race  who  lags  at  the  base. 


"Tis  an  excellent  thing  to  dig  deep  as  the  soil 
permits, — and  excellent  to  stir  a  man  to  his  depths. 


MECHANICAL  mind  of  a  material  age, 

That  naught   conceives   save  what  pertains   to 

matter, 

Know  this: — the  fabric  of  the  world 
Was  reared  on  dreams,  chimerae  and  delusions — 
Mere  spider-film! 

226 


SCHKDIASM. 

Fix  thy  thoughts  on  lofty  themes, — so  shalt  thou 
escape  the  pitfalls  of  pettiness  which  everywhere 
abound  in  this  tinsel  world.  Compare  each  thing 
with  something  greater: — this  house  is  large — ay, 
but  the  city  is  larger — this  city  is  large — ay,  but 
the  world  is  larger;  this  world  is  large, — ay,  but 
the  stars  are  larger.  Great  things  give  the  measur 
ing-rod  for  little  things. 


UNPBODUCTIVE  means  destructive. 


LEAD  the  fool's  life, — you  will  not  lack  the  fool's 
thoughts. 


ALL  is  fuel  to  a  great  fire: — genius  cannot  be 
quenched, — a  strong  man's  deep  purpose  not  long 
obstructed. 


HOPES  in  reason  blow  in  season. 


WHAT  is  truth  but  the  unmasked  face  of  things; 
understanding,  but  the  recognition  of  truth;  the 
love  of  truth,  but  the  love  of  understanding?  The 
first  step  towards  wisdom,  then,  is  truth: — without 
this  there  can  be  no  wisdom,  and  he  who  forsakes 
truth  puts  a  veil  over  nature's  features,  and  seeth 
nevermore. 


VIEWED  from  the  standpoint  of  a  thousand  years, 
The  noblest  work  of  human  hands  is  temp'rary, 
Like  nest  or  rabbit-hole, — serves  ends  as  paltry — 
And  what's  a  thousand  years  t'  eternity? 

227 


SCHEDIASM. 

A  PBETTY  woman  is  a  creature  who,  abroad  or  at 
home,  goes  about  with  a  great  bag  of  vanity  in 
which  she  deposits  compliments,  ogles,  lover's 
sighs  and  other  pleasant  memories: — and  as  the 
bag  is  full  or  empty  that  life  is  happy  or  discon 
tented. 


THE  ankle's  but  the  prelude  to  the  tale, 

And  some  maids  learn,  who,  t'  entice  the  male, 

Lift  i'  the  crowded  street  the  gauzy  skirt, 

Viewing  askance  imaginary  dirt: — 

Fond  girl! — he'll  come — perchance  to  thy  mishap, 

Since  oft  in  cities  am'rous  youths  have  cl-p. 


WHEN  thou  art  big  with  thought  forget  not  that 
Midwife  Brevity  will  make  a  short  labor  on't. 


BEAUTY  is  a  kind  of  bribe,  making  us  unfair  to 
those  that  have  it  not. 


FOB  presumption,  affliction; for  vanity,  solitude— 
these  are  the  remedies. 


THOU  canst  say  to  most  rich  men: — thy  house  I 
may  envy,  yes! — but  not  the  head  thou  livestJn. 


ABILITY  depends  on  habits: — a  good  tool  may  be 
spoiled  with  ill  using,  and  a  rich  field  with  ill 
sowing  may  become  barren. 


ALL  is  salt  that  runs  into  the  sea: — eschew  the 
world,  O  youth! 

228 


SCHEDIASM. 

STICK  thy  hand  in  a  chimney — it  cannot  come 
out  white: — walk  with  evil  men — thou  canst  not 
long  he  blameless. 


FOB  a  nightingale,   the   lonely   spray;    for  the 
cricket,  a  quiet  hearth — and  solitude  for  the  poet. 


A  FKOWAKD  maid  is  fast  a  jade. 


HE  who  reads  many  books  with  little  reflection 
hearkens  to  a  Babel  of  various-counseling  voices, 
and  in  the  end,  though  his  fancy  be  fitfully  stimu 
lated,  yet  shall  his  judgment  suffer  only  confusion 
as  a  reward  for  his  assiduity.  Still,  variety  of 
books  is  the  spice  of  reading,  and  that  mind  inevi 
tably  grows  heavy  and  unhealthy  whose  thoughts 
brood  ever  on  the  low  boughs  of  fact,  disdaining  to 
soar  upward  into  the  clear  sunlight  of  fancy. 
The  matter-of-fact  writer  with  his  tardigradous 
thoughts,  though  he  may  instruct,  can  never  enter 
tain, — as  one  who  always  wears  boots  cuts  but  a 
sorry  figure  at  a  dance — and  piquancy  and  excur- 
siveness,  the  agreeable  features  of  a  book,  are  not 
less  necessary  to  the  receptive  mind  than  learning 
and  profundity.  Good  sauces  aid  digestion,  but  he 
only  shows  his  willingness  to  benefit  his  heir  who 
sups  on  them: — thus  the  reader  starves  his  under 
standing  who  devours  only  works  of  imagination. 
Wisdom  dictates  a  mixed  diet, — a  little  light  and 
a  little  heavy  reading,  judiciously  selected  accord 
ing  to  the  humor.  The  capacity  must  govern  the 
indulgence,  not  forgetting  that  what  surfeits  you 
may  famish  your  neighbor. 

229 


SCHEDIASM. 

IF  many  the  glass  bad  wine  will  pass. 


LET  a  man  regard  the  opinions  of  others  and  he 
will  be  like  popcorn  spluttering  in  a  red-hot  toaster, 
— hither,  thither,  no-whither  and  back  again.  For 
ever  lost  is  that  soul  to  tranquillity. 


THE  play  takes  your  mind  abroad  while  your 
legs  depend  idly  under  a  chair;  it  is  indeed  a  supe 
rior  species  of  travel,  unfolding  to  our  view,  if  not 
natural  scenery,  at  least  the  best,  bravest  and 
comeliest  of  all  ages,  all  climes,  without  expense  or 
inconvenience.  This  implies,  of  course,  capacity  in 
the  actors,  a  good  drama  and  correct  costumes  and 
stage  scenery. 


MODESTY  is  excellent,  but  the  base  self-diffidence 
which  often  passes  for  it  is  only  cowardice,  only 
self-repudiation.  The  finger  that  lit  the  sun  put 
certain  powers  in  me; — I  am  no  more  responsible 
for  their  origin  or  activity  than  the  sun  is  for  its 
light: — consequently,  when  I  state  and  show  by  act 
and  deed  that  such  and  such  powers  exist  in  me,  I 
do  not  brag — I  glorify  God. 


As  age  advances  Fancy  folds  her  weary  pinions, 
and  thought,  bat-like,  flitting  near  the  earth,  con 
fines  its  excursions  to  the  commonplace.  But  even 
here,  if  we  see  but  deeply  enough,  exists  romance 
galore  and  novelty;  for  the  grim  facts  of  the  world 
— its  works — each  and  every  one  of  them  was  once, 
mayhap,  a  dream  or  chimera;  each  and  every  one 
of  them  is  a  monument  to  some  dead  imagination 

230 


SCHEDIASM. 

— of   imagination,   the    pathfinder    in    all   human 
progress. 


WE  are  not  to  be  censured  for  attempting  great 
things,  but  rather  commended: — a  worm,  if  it  sa 
elects,  may  crawl  some  distance  up  the  highest 
mountain. 


CATCH  plague,  spread  plague: — thou  ow'st  it  not 
less  to  others  than  to  thyself  to  escape  contamina 
tion. 


WOMAN — let  me  see,  what  is  woman,  to  put  it 
epigrammatically?  She  is  the  nib  of  the  pen  which 
has  written  the  world,  but,  like  all  points,  some 
times  squeaks  abominably.  She  is  the  wick  in  the 
lamp  of  life,  but,  egad!  all  wicks  occasionally  need 
trimming.  She  is  the  inspiration  of  the  noblest  in 
the  realm  of  imagination,  the  vilest  in  physical 
life; — the  abacus  on  which  the  wise  man  counts 
off  the  follies  of  humanity  in  the  kindergarten  of 
an  imbecile  world.  Caprice  leads  her,  vanity  rides 
her,  destruction  walks  in  her  train; — but  in  her 
heart  alone  abides  the  true  love;  and  the  chosen 
fondling  she  sometimes  wrecks  will  she  more  often 
succor,  though  it  be  to  ier  own  desolation. 


WHERE  speech  is  barren  silence  may  be  good 
compost. 


THAT  excellent  institution  of  civilization,  Mar 
riage,  is  simply  an  orderly  covenant  with  Venus, 
designed  to  bring  an  individual  to  the  same  altar 

231 


SCHTOIASM. 

each  time  he  makes  his  hebdomadal  or  bis-hebdom 
adal  sacrifices  to  this  powerful  goddess;  thus  avert 
ing  confusion,  quarrels  and  bickerings,  not  to  speak 
of  those  minor  infelicities  which  Rabelais  had  in 
mind,  when,  kneeling  down  before  the  statue  of  a 
certain  king,  he  thanked  God  for  the  licentiousness 
of  his  troops, — or  rather  for  the  filthy  lucre  accru 
ing  therefrom  unto  ye  goodman,  the  physician. 
But,  as  the  world  reeks  with  adultery  and  married 
men  maintain  the  majority  of  brothels — counting 
those  with  one  inmate — the  value  of  the  nuptial 
knot  is,  in  our  day,  somewhat  dubitable. 


are  responsible  for  woman's  pride 
And  insolence,  for  they  bow  down  and  sue, 
And  constantly,  in  most  unmanly  fashion, 
Surfeit  her  greedy  vanity  with  flatt'ries, — 
Though  they  might  fare  well  enough,  being  straight 
forward. 


TBTTE  praise  is  the  good  word  of  thy  master. 

A  BLEAT  is  a  bray  in  a  ram's  mouth: — an  old  fool 
cozened  by  women,  blabbing  his  troubles,  finds 
many  mockers. 

"Tis  woman's  age, — presumption  marks  her  prog 
ress: — 

She,  in  the  eve  of  art,  some  things  essaying 
Which  men  did  well  for  ages,  vaunts  herself 
Not  equal,  but  superior;  and  new  entered, 
Still   screeching  out  of  tune,  would   lead   life's 
chorus. 

232 


SCHEDIASM. 

THE  philosopher  is  a  poet  whose  deeds  are  writ 
in  meter,  not  his  words. 

RHYME  and  reason  are  two  deer  and  flee  contra 
riwise: — then  chase  one  or  catch  none. 


CBITICS  are  still  like  dogs, — all  raise  their  legs 
where  one  has  left  his  nastiness. 


THE  cultured  reader  converses  with  his  books, — 
the  ignorant  listens,  rapt  and  open-mouthed. 


ONE  object  of  the  drama  is  to  hold  up  the  mirror 
of  greatness  to  our  own  little  lives,  and  shame  our 
meanness: — then  let  low  characters  be  sparingly 
used. 


PBAISE  is  a  destroyer,  vanity  diggeth  her  own 
grave.  He  thinks  little  who  is  self-satisfied,  he 
less  who  wars  with  the  inevitable. 


MY  soul  said  to  the  flame,  Give  me  thy  power; 
my  soul  said  to  the  bird's  wings,  Give  me  thy 
swiftness.  But  they  answered,  "Fool!  thou  canst 
have  woman's  love, — what  wouldst  thou  with  us?" 


CIVILITY   means   contributing  your  mite  to  the 
sum  of  general  peace  and  comfort. 


FOOLS  trip  along  the  street  of  life  unnoticed  and 
unnoting;  moving  in  oblivion,  they  fall  into  the 
ditch. 

233 


SCHEDIASM. 

READING  is  only  assisted  thought: — if  thou  dost 
lean  too  much,  remember,  thou  mayst  soon  be  un 
able  to  walk  alone. 

INTEREST  blurs  reason's  spectacles;  —  thoughts 
change  as  hearts  incline. 


LONG-SPLINTED  arms  wax  useless: — so  do  minds 
O'er-wrapped  with  learning's  bands. 


LIVE  in  a  low  hut — you  will  learn  to  stoop;  con 
sort  with  little  minds — you  will  adopt  their  ways. 


BEEVITY  keeps  abreast  of  thought, — prolixity  is 
soon  distanced.  

NOT  to. fame  let  the  monument  be  reared,  for  it 
needs  it  not,  and  hath,  besides,  its  reward;  but  let 
it  be  reared  to  commemorate  genius  blasted  in 
youth,  merit  pining  in  obscurity  without  inspira 
tion  or  encouragement,  virtue  long  suffering  in 
secret  without  murmur  or  plaint.  Alas!  these  die 
every  day  without  record  or  eulogy. 


WHAT  flowers  early  decays  early. 


BOBROWING  a  thing  is  not  as  good  as  owning  it, — 
reading  is  not  as  good  as  thinking. 


INSPIBATION  begins  but  will  consummates. 


THE  soul  rides  a  lazy  and  insensible  beast,  and 
only  the  spur  and  bridle  keep  it  out  of  the  mire; — 
sleep  not! 

234 


SCHEDIASM. 

THE  poet  sits  in  the  confessional  of  the  heart; 
and  true  poetry  is  only  feeling  sublimed  into 
thoughts  which,  out  of  their  own  richness  and 
sweetness,  come  decked  in  the  raiment  of  music. 


IN  dissection  we  must  come  to  the  bones,  if  we 
go  far  enough;  in  philosophy,  to  a  dreary  sense  of 
desolation  and  nothingness,  if  we  go  far  enough. 


KILL  the  bawd, — bury  the  brothel. 


THE  pleasures  be  poisons  all,  though  sugar- 
coated, — good  drugs  which  cure  in  drops  but  kill  in 
drams. 


WHY  is  it  that  Christians  attach  so  much  impor 
tance  to  death-bed  repentance,  and  pious,  contrite 
utterances  at  the  last  moment,  repudiating  all  of 
life  and  belief  gone  before?  Sickness,  suffering  and 
fear  obfuscate  the  best  understanding,  and  it  is  not 
then,  surely,  that  we  see  clearly,  as  the  preachers 
would  have  us  believe,  but  rather  during  our  in 
trepid  hours  of  vigorous  life,  when  we  have  leisure 
and  tranquillity.  As  a  testimony  to  the  truth  such 
evidence  is  utterly  fallacious  and  worthless. 


WHEN  should  old  age  be  respected? — When  it  so 
lives  as  to  deserve  it; — and  then  it  need  not  exact, 
— it  is  unhesitatingly  accorded  that  respect  and 
reverence  which  a  long  life  and  an  ample  store  of 
human  experiences  entitle  it  to. 

But  ah!  to  how  many  old  people  can  you  truth 
fully  say, — You  have  had  a  long  opportunity  to 

235 


SCHEDIASM. 

learn — you  have  not  learned;  you  have  had  a  long 
opportunity  to  become  good — you  are  not  good; 
you  have  had  a  long  opportunity  to  garner  wisdom 
— you  are  not  wise!  Ask  them,  what  then  do  you 
claim  for  the  long  opportunity  of  your  life? — Many 
cannot  answer. 

Doubly  censurable  he  or  she  who,  living  to  grow 
old,  is  not  good,  wise,  charitable,  patient  or  dis 
creet! 


PAGEANTS  are  forms  of  public  ostentation  de 
signed  to  impress  the  giddy  multitude, — paltry 
feat! — or,  on  the  other  hand,  the  spontaneous  ebul 
lition  of  colossal  vanity  and  vainglory,  combined 
necessarily  with  adequate  means  to  parade  it. 
Roman  triumphs  prepared  the  way  for  tyranny, 
fostering  the  ungodly  lust  for  power  and  regal 
splendor,  its  satiation  passing  the  bounds  of  pri 
vate  extravagance;  resulting  finally  in  a  subver 
sion  of  the  liberties  of  the  poor  fools  who,  applaud 
ing  in  sympathetic  patriotism  successful  generals 
returning  home  laden  with  spoils  and  captives, 
soon  themselves  fell  victims  to  a  kind  of  anthro 
pophagous  campaign.  For  he  certainly  devours 
his  own  kind  who  deprives  them  of  their  liberties, 
without  which  men  cease  to  be  human;  indeed,  an 
age  reft  of  the  institutions  of  freedom  at  best 
serves  only  as  excrement  to  the  shallow  periphery 
on  which  we  walk,  fertilizing  it  for  better  genera 
tions. 

In  a  republic  all  military  pageants  are  danger 
ous,  and  half  the  civic  parades  and  processions 
mischievous  in  their  ultimate  effects.  Soldiers,  like 

236 


SCHEDIASM. 

harlots  and  newspapers,  are  necessary  evils,  but 
should  be  kept  decorously  in  the  background: — he 
who  shouts  for  armies  beckons  to  the  eager  specter 
of  despotism.  Civic  pageants  teem  with  blind  enthu 
siasm,  the  object  of  the  celebration  being,  as  a  gen 
eral  thing,  either  ridiculous  or  not  adequately  un 
derstood;  and,  temporarily  oblivious  of  the  ego  in 
a  burst  of  public  sympathy, — a  happy  effect — the 
worthy  citizen  too  often  ends  by  completely  sub 
merging  his  identity  in  a  dramshop.  Thus  extrav 
agance  opens  the  door  to  drunkenness,  while  licen 
tiousness  stalks  without 


HAXF  of  our  intellectual  luminaries — sot  disant! 
— remind  me  of  a  night-lamp, — a  little  thing  giving 
just  light  enough  to  see  that  you  are  in  the  dark. 


O  BEAUTY!  thy  bright  eye  in  anger  flashing, — 
Rolling  tempestuous  'neath  black  brows — expresses 
More  than  the  thunderbolts  of  words  fast-crashing, 
Which  volley  from  thy  lips;  proud  man  confesses 
That  war — at  least  with  thee — "is  h — 11"  indeed, 
And  wisely  shuns  the  storm,  as  he  had  need. 
Lord,  Lord!    I  love  the  sight  when  woman  rages, — 
Provided  'tis  not  me  the  shrew  engages — 
Anger  convulses,  passion's  waves  engulf  her, — 
Man,  vulgar  man!  exhales  too  soon — in  sulphur. 


FIND  an  husbandman,  if  you  can,  who  stores 
away  his  grain  ere  he  winnows  it: — yet  will  a  man 
accept  opinions  read  in  books  without  thinking. 


YOUTH,  regard  each  temptation  as  an  antagonist 
237 


SCHEDIASM. 

with  whom  thou  art  to  grapple,  as  in  the  games, 
to  fling  or  be  flung. 


HIGH  of  birth,— a  life  of  dearth. 


DOUBT  thine  ability  and  thou  hast  none. 


WOMAN  and  fool,   dove  and  dove,   chough  and 
chough — these  things  flock. 


THE  fool  has  the  good  things  of  the  earth — and 
shall  he  meddle  with  the  great?  Hunt  him  from 
the  high  places! — mercy  to  fools  is  perfidy  to 
wisdom. 


THE  END. 


,  238 


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